There has been very high interest in — and anxiety around — the election this year.
More than 900,000 people in Northern Virginia have voted absentee by mail or early in person already. Still, there may be long lines at polling locations in Virginia on Tuesday morning.
Here’s what to know if you plan to vote in person on Nov. 3:
Statewide, polling locations open at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m. People in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Find your polling place here. (Do not assume that you are voting in the same place as past years!)
Because there is so much interest in this year’s election, be prepared to wait in line at your polling location.
- Bring an approved ID.
- Wear a mask. It is required that you wear a mask inside public places, like polling locations.
- Wear comfortable shoes in case you’re standing in line for a while.
- Dress for the weather! We’re expecting mostly sunny skies all day. The temperature at 6 a.m. will be in the upper 30s. Daytime high temperatures will reach 58 around 3 p.m.
- Bring something to read.
What's on the ballot?
It's not just a presidential election. There are races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and Constitutional Amendments, to name a few things. Read this article for more information about what's on your ballot.
If you received an absentee ballot but decided you would rather vote in person…
According to Virginia elections officials: "If you have not returned your ballot yet, you may vote in person … at your polling place on Election Day. If you have requested or received an absentee by mail ballot but would rather vote in person, please bring your unopened ballot with you when you go to vote. If you have lost or did not receive your ballot, you may either vote early in person at your registrar’s office or cast a provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day."
Can I drop off my absentee ballot somewhere on Nov. 3?
Yes! "On Election Day, you can drop off your voted absentee ballot at any polling place in the county or city in which you are registered to vote," according to Virginia election rules. At this point, officials really do not recommend mailing your ballot. The deadline for mailed absentee ballots to be received by Office of Elections is 12 p.m. (noon) on Nov. 6. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3.
How do I know if my absentee ballot was counted?
You can check online to see if the absentee ballot that you dropped off or mailed in was processed. Click here to track your ballot. If it appears that there is an error with your ballot or it hasn’t been processed, you may cast a provisional ballot in person at your polling place.
Other questions?
The workers at your local polling place are there to help, so don’t hesitate to ask them questions. There will also be trained, independent volunteer poll watchers to help ensure everyone is allowed to vote freely and without intimidation.
If you feel intimidated in any way:
- Let a poll worker know immediately.
- Contact your City or County AND the Virginia Dept. of Elections.
- In addition, incidents should be reported to the Election Protection Hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE) or the US Department of Justice voting rights hotline (1-800-253-3931).
