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WHAT'S CHANGED?

New legislation passed in both the state Senate and the state House of Representatives could change voter ID requirements in Virginia. The bill currently awaits Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature. If it is signed into law, much of the information below will change.

DO I NEED ID TO VOTE?

Yes. Virginia law requires every voter voting in person to show identification. Acceptable forms of ID include:

  • Virginia voter identification card;
  • Valid Virginia driver's license;
  • Military ID;
  • Any federal, Wrginia state or local government - issued ID;
  • Employer-issued photo ID card; and
  • Social Security card.

Any voter who forgets to bring acceptable ID to the polls still may vote but will be requested to sign, under oath, an Affirmation of Identity form affirming he or she is the voter he or she claims to be. Identification is considered current and timely if it has expired within 30 days of the election.

SPECIAL FEDERAL ID REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN FIRST-TIME VOTERS
Federal law requires persons who registered to vote in Virginia by mail to show ID when voting for the first time in a federal election if they did not send a copy of one of the IDs listed below with their voter registration applications. Voters subject to this special ID requirement will have the phrase "First-Time Federal" after the "lD Required" item in their online voter registration records. Any of the following types of lD are acceptable:

  • A current and valid photo ID (for example, a driver's license);
  • Or a current utility bill, bank statement,government check or paycheck that shows name and address;
  • Or another government document that shows name and address (for example, a voter card).

This federal ID requirement applies the first time a person votes in any federal election, either on the day of the election or by absentee ballot. If the voter does not present one of these forms of ID at the polls, that person still can vote, but must cast a provisional ballot that includes a voter information statement under felony penalty. This is a paper ballot the local electoral board may count the day after the election, if the board can verify the person was qualified to vote in that precinct. Such persons have the right to appear before the board and can request an extension up to one day to present evidence.

When the person votes in other elections after his or her first federal election, regular Virginia ID requirements will apply, as they do to all other voters.

DO I NEED ID TO REGISTER?

Yes. If you are registering for the first time by mail, federal law requires you to provide identification. To avoid delays, please enclose a copy of one of the following documents that shows your name and address with your application:

  • Current and valid photo ID;
  • Current utility bill;
  • Bank statement;
  • Government check;
  • Paycheck; or
  • Other government document.

You also can present this required identification at the polls but may experience delays.

WHERE CAN I FIND REGISTRATION FORMS ONLINE?

Registration forms are available at: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/VoterRegistration/sbe_voter_app_DOJ-printed.pdf

WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE?

The deadline for registering for the general election is 22 days before Election Day.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

Enter your address into this website to get your polling location or call the Wrginia State Board of Elections at 804-864-8901:
https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicPollingPlace.aspx

CAN I VOTE ABSENTEE?

Maybe. In Virginia, you must have a reason to vote absentee, and in some cases you may need to provide documentation supporting that reason. Please see the Absentee Ballot Application to determine which reasons are acceptable and which require documentation.

WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

You can apply to vote absentee as early as one year before the election. You can apply in person at your city or county voter registration office or by sending a completed application by mail, fax or a scanned copy. Ballots are available 45 days before primary and general elections and most special elections.

If applying and voting by mail, allow enough time for your application to be processed and your ballot mailed to you.

The deadline for applying to vote absentee by mail is 5 p.m. the Tuesday before the election. All ballots must be received by the Electoral Board by 7 p.m. on Election Day. If retuming the ballot to the electoral board in person, only the voter may return it.

The deadline for applying and msting your ballot in person at your local voter registration office is the Saturday before the election.


For more information about voting, contact the Virginia State Board of Elections information Center, sbe-info@sbe.virginia.gov or call 804-864-8901 (or toll free: 800-552-9745).