Presidential Primary Election
March 6, 2012
Presidential Primary Registration Deadline
February 13, 2012
Primary Election
June 12, 2012
Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline
May 21, 2012
General Election
November 6, 2012
General Election Voter Registration Deadline
October 15, 2012
Voter Registration and Eligibility
QUALIFICATIONS
To register to vote in the State of Virginia, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a United States citizen
- Be a Resident of Virginia (A person who has come to Virginia for temporary purposes and intends to return to another state is not considered a resident for voting purposes)
- Be 18 years old by the next general election (any person who 17 years old and will be 18 years of age at the next election shall be permitted to register in advance and also in any intervening primary or special election)
- Does not claim the right to vote in any other State
- Had voting rights restored if ever been convicted of a felony
- Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law
OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM
Persons eligible to register can obtain a registration application at any of the following:
- Local voter registration office (contact information)
- State or local government offices when applying or recertifying for Aid to Dependent Children, Food Stamps, WIC, Medicaid, or Rehabilitation Services
- Government offices in the State that provide State-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to person with disabilities
- Armed forces recruitment offices
- Public libraries
- State Board of Elections office
- Department of Motor Vehicles offices
- Voter Registration Drives
Obtain a voter registration form online here.
VIRGINIA ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Who Can Absentee Vote in Virginia?
The following voters may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which they are qualified to vote:
- Any person who, in the regular and orderly course of their business, profession, or occupation or while on personal business or vacation, will be absent from the county or city in which he/she is entitled to vote
- Any person who is (i) a member of a uniformed service of the United States who is on active duty, or (ii) a member of the merchant marine of the United States, or (iii) regularly employed in a business, profession or occupation outside the continental limits of the United States, or (iv) the spouse or dependent residing with any person listed in (i), (ii), or (iii), and who will be absent on the day of the election from the county or city in which they are entitled to vote
- Any student attending a school or institution of learning, or their spouse, who will be absent on the day of election from the county or city in which they are entitled to vote
- Any person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of election because of a disability, illness, or pregnancy.
- Any person who is confined while awaiting trial or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor, provided that the trial or release date is scheduled on or after the third day preceding the election. Any person who is awaiting trial and is a resident of the county or city where they are confined shall, by request, be taken to the polls to vote on Election Day if the trial date is postponed and they did not have an opportunity to vote absentee;
- Any person who is a member of an electoral board, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment;
- Any duly registered person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because they are primarily and personally responsible for the care of an ill or disabled family member who is confined at home; or
- Any duly registered person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because of an obligation occasioned by their religion
- Any person who, in the regular and orderly course of his business, profession, or occupation, will be at his place of work and commuting to and from his home to his place of work for 11 or more hours when the polls are open (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
- Any registered and qualified voter may request a mail ballot for presidential and vice-presidential electors only by writing across the top of their absentee application "request ballot for presidential electors only." A voter who votes a "presidential only" ballot may not later decide to vote the rest of the ballot. The same procedures and deadlines apply as for other absentee applications and ballots.
How Can I Acquire an Absentee Ballot?
The application shall be sent to the appropriate local general registrar not less than seven day prior to the election in which the applicant offers to vote.
Contact your local Voter Registration Office (contact information) to request an absentee ballot application.
Obtain an application for an absentee ballot online here
Military and citizens overseas should apply for an absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card
Additional Information for Overseas Voters
In Person:
An application completed in person shall be made not less than three days prior to the election in which the applicant offers to vote absentee and completed only in the office of the general registrar. The applicant shall sign the application in the presence of a registrar or the secretary of the electoral board. If the application is made at least 5 days before Election Day, the ballot can be mailed to the voter.
By Mail, Phone, or Electronic Device:
Applications may be made by mailed or faxed to the general registrar (or the office of the State Board of Elections if the local general registrar does not have a fax). The application shall be made to the appropriate registrar not less than seven days prior to the election in which the applicant would like to vote.
How do I Return the Absentee Ballot and What is the Deadline?
Completed ballots must be received in the general registrar's office by 7 p.m. on the day before the election.
Source of information:
Virginia State Board of Elections
Washington Building, 1st Floor
1100 Bank Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-3485
Phone: 804-864-8901
Toll-Free: 800-552-9745
Fax: 804-371-0194
http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/
PROTECT YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
BY EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!