Voter Frequently Asked Questions

 Voter Registration
  • Am I eligible to register to vote in Virginia?

    ​Consult this flow chart to determine if you are eligible to register to vote in Virginia.

  • Can I vote if I have been convicted of a felony?

    ​Only if you have had your rights restored. Anyone convicted of a felony loses their right to vote in Virginia and that right can only be restored by the Governor. You can find out more information, check the current status of your civil rights, and apply to have your rights restored through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website: commonwealth.virginia.gov/judicial-system/restoration-of-rights. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's Restoration Department can be contacted directly at (804) 692-0104. Once your rights have been restored you must register to vote before you can qualify to receive a ballot at the next election.

  • How can I check my registration status or update my information (i.e. new name or new address)?

    ​Go to the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal at Vote.Elections.Virginia.gov. You'll need to enter your name, date of birth, the last 4 digits of your social security number and where you live. If you do not appear in the system, and you believe you are registered to vote, please contact the Virginia Beach Voter Registrar at (757) 385-8683 or voter@vbgov.com. 

  • How may I register to vote?
    1. ​ONLINE: Go to the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal at Vote.Elections.Virginia.gov. You’ll need to enter your name, date of birth, the last 4 digits of your social security number and where you live.

    2. BY MAIL: Use the Virginia voter registration form. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and fill it out completely. Send the completed form to the address below postmarked no later than Thursday, October 15, 2020 to vote in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election. 

    Director of Elections/General Registrar
    City of Virginia Beach
    Voter Registration & Elections
    P. O. Box 6247
    Virginia Beach, VA 23456-0247



  • What is the deadline to register to vote?

    ​The deadline to register to vote was Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 for the November General and Special Elections to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. However, the deadline was extended to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered an extension after the state’s Department of Election’s online portal was shut down for more than five hours on Tuesday — the last day to register to vote. Applications received online by 11:59 p.m., delivered in person to the Voter Registration & Elections Office by close of business and mailed applications postmarked by Thursday, Oct. 15 will be processed. 

  • Where may I register to vote?

    ​You may register to vote in Virginia at any of these Virginia Beach locations.

 Early In-Person Voting
  • Are there limitations on the clothing I can wear when voting?

    ​The Commonwealth of Virginia does not prohibit the wearing of campaign material while voting.

  • Can I take a selfie when I vote?

    ​Ballot selfies are legal in Virginia. Nothing in Virginia law prohibits voters from taking pictures of themselves, fellow voters or their ballot within the polling place.

  • Can my kids come with me when I vote?

    ​In Virginia, you can bring a child age 15 or younger into the voting booth with you, but they should not be disruptive of the voting process. 

  • Do I have to provide a reason for wanting to vote early?

    ​Effective July 1, voters do not need a reason to fill out an application to vote early.

  • Do I have to wear a mask?

    ​Although we cannot legally require voters to wear face coverings or masks inside polling locations, we strongly encourage everyone to be considerate of others and wear one. Anyone who insists on voting inside a polling location without a mask will be directed to a separate voting booth and maintain a minimum distance of 6ft or more from others at all times.  

  • Do I need to show ID to vote early?

    Yes, you will need to show ID to vote in Virginia. Acceptable forms of valid ID include:

    • voter registration confirmation documents
    • a valid Virginia driver's license (expired or unexpired)
    • a valid United States passport
    • any other identification issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States
    • any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in any state or territory of the United States
    • any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business
    • tribal enrollment or other tribal photo ID
    • Virginia voter photo ID card
    • a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter.

    Voters without ID are required to sign a statement that they are the registered voter they claim to be in order to cast a ballot. A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification and does not complete or sign the statement shall be offered a provisional ballot. After completing the provisional ballot, they will be given written instructions from the election officials on how to submit a copy of their ID so that their vote can be counted. The voter will have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of the ID to the local electoral board.

  • What should I have with me?

    ​Plan for inclement weather while waiting in line outside and be sure to bring ID (see accepted forms here) (elections.virginia.gov/registration/photo-ids-required-to-vote) and a mask or face covering. You may view estimated wait times at VBgov.com/Voter. 

  • When and where can I vote early?

    Early in-person and mail in/absentee voting ballot drop off is available at:

    Voter Registration & Elections Office
    Municipal Center, Building 14, 2449 Princess Anne Rd.

    • Monday – Friday, through Oct. 30
      8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Thursdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29          
      8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
    • Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24, 31          
      9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    Beginning Friday, Oct. 19, the following locations will also serve as in-person voting and ballot drop-off locations during the hours listed.

    • Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Rd.       
    • Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Dr. 
    • Seatack Recreation Center, 141 S. Birdneck Rd.       
    • Kempsville Treasurer's Office, 5340 Fairfield Shopping Center            
      • Monday – Friday, Oct. 19 – 30   
        9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Saturdays, Oct. 24 & Oct. 31      
        9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 Mail-In Voting
  • Can I hand-deliver my vote by mail ballot? If so, where?

    ​Once you complete your mailed ballot, it can be dropped off in person at the City of Virginia Beach Voter Registration & Elections Office or, starting Oct. 19, at one of four satellite voting locations. Mailed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3) if delivering in-person.

    • Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Rd.           
    • Great Neck Recreation Center, 2521 Shorehaven Dr.
    • Seatack Recreation Center, 141 S. Birdneck Rd.
    • Kempsville Treasurer's Office, 5340 Fairfield Shopping Center 
  • Do I need a reason to vote by mail?

    ​Effective July 1, voters do not need a reason to fill out an application to vote early.

  • Do I need a witness to vote by mail?

    ​Due to the current pandemic, if you cannot safely have a witness present while completing the absentee ballot, you may disregard the witness signature requirement and you are not required to have a witness present. Your ballot will not be rejected due to a missing witness signature. These instructions override any instructions on your ballot envelopes regarding witness signatures.

  • Does Virginia Beach have a ballot drop box?

    ​Virginia Beach has one ballot box located outside the Voter Registration & Elections Office, Building 14 at the Municipal Center, 2449 Princess Anne Road.

  • How do I apply to vote by mail?

    ​To request a ballot be mailed to you, you must be registered to vote in Virginia Beach and submit a Virginia Vote by Mail Application form (elections.virginia.gov/media/castyourballot/SBE-701-703.1.pdf) online, via email to grabsenteevote@vbgov.com or mail it to:

    Director of Elections/General Registrar
    City of Virginia Beach
    Voter Registration & Elections
    P. O. Box 6247
    Virginia Beach, VA 23456-0247

    The deadline to submit the application is Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. and your ballot will be mailed upon receipt of a completed application. Applications cannot be accepted if they are incomplete and must contain the last four digits of your social security number and your signature.

    Once you complete your ballot, it can be dropped off in person at the City of Virginia Beach Voter Registration & Elections Office or at one of the satellite voting locations by 7 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3).

    If casting your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by noon on the third day after the election. Please note that the U.S. Postal Service's delivery standards have changed so that First Class delivery went from 1-3 days to 2-5 days and Standard delivery is now 2-9 days. Consider this when voting by mail.

  • How do I confirm my mailed ballot was accepted?

    ​Visit the citizens portal at elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal.

  • If I vote by mail, how can I be sure my ballot is counted?

    ​You can check to see whether your ballot was sent and received by going to the Dept of Elections citizen portal: elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal

Contact Information