Elections & Voting

On this page, you’ll find information about voting in Virginia. If you’re looking for other information, check out our pages on Upcoming Elections or Current Elected Officials.

Election Dates 2024

Democratic Presidential Primary Day: March 5, 2024
Democratic Senate Primary Day: June 18, 2024
Election Day: November 5, 2024

Virginia voters have an opportunity to participate in the electoral process every year. Make your voice heard by voting for local offices such as County Supervisors or School Board members as well as state and national representatives/delegates and senators.

Use the links in the list below to jump to specific sections on this page.

• Governing in Virginia
• Voting in Virginia
  – Voter Registration
  – Vote Absentee/By Mail
  – Vote In Person Early or on Election Day

Governing in Virginia

If you’re new to the state (or don’t remember your civics classes from high school), you might find these links helpful to understand how government works in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Executive, Legislative & Judicial Branches
Virginia General Assembly
Virginia Government Organizational Chart
Voting in Virginia
Constitution of Virginia
Laws & Policies: The Code of Virginia
Election Results and Reports

Voting in Virginia

Citizens have the opportunity to vote in person or by mail, early or on Election Day. Use the links below for more information.

Virginia Voter Hotline from VA Democratic Party: 844 4VA VOTE (844-482-8683)
• Virginia Department of Elections
• Voter Education Page
• Virginia Voter Forms
• Voter FAQ

If you want to know about all candidates running in your districts (US Congressional, Virginia State Senate, and Virginia State Delegate), you can review Candidate Lists from the Department of Elections. Since voting districts will change in 2022, be sure you’re looking at your correct district(s) when evaluating candidates.

Also, check out our page listing Current Elected Officials who represent the lake area residents.

Register to Vote or Update Your Registration

Voter Registration Information
Virginia Voter Registration Application
Confirm your eligibility to vote and register online with the link above. You can also access your Virginia Voter Record to update your registration, apply to vote absentee or by mail, and view your voter-related information.

Registration Deadlines

Deadline dates are listed on the Upcoming Elections page of the Virginia Department of Elections. In general, deadlines for registration are listed below.

Primaries and General Elections
• In person: register by close of business 22 days prior to the election
• By mail: registration must be postmarked 22 days before the election
• Online: registration must be received by 11:59 pm 22 days prior to the election

Note that Virginia (thanks to Democrats!) now has Same-Day Voter Registration. Instead of the voter registration window closing about three weeks out from an election, the law allows voters to fill out a registration form and cast a ballot after that deadline, up to and including Election Day.

Special Elections
Same as above but 14 days prior to the election

Special Elections called by the Governor
Same as above but 7 days prior to the election

• Deadline to register for the Primary Election: May 13, 2024
• Deadline to register for the General Election: October 14, 2024

Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting

If you will not be able to vote in person, you must request a Vote By Mail ballot by completing an application. You may apply online, by regular mail, by fax or by email. The application has a mailing address and a fax number.

Deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you for the General Election: TBD for 2024. The request must be received by your local Registrar’s Office by 5 pm.

Note that there is a Special Federal ID Requirement for first-time Absentee by Mail voters.

When you mail in your actual ballot, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and it must be received in your Registrar’s Office by noon on the third day following the election (November 5, 2024). You can also hand deliver your ballot to your county Registrar’s Office in person on or before Election Day.

Information about Absentee or Vote by Mail 
Apply for Absentee or Vote by Mail Ballot Online
Vote By Mail Application Form
Absentee Ballot Application Form

Bedford County Registrar’s Office
Franklin County Registrar’s Office
Pittsylvania County Registrar’s Office

Vote in Person: Early Voting or Vote on Election Day

Virginia law requires all voters to provide a photo ID when voting in person at their voting place. Find out which forms are acceptable here.

If you require assistance for in-person voting, find information about accessible and curbside voting here.

In Virginia, you may vote early in person at your county Registrar’s Office. Use the links above to find Registrar’s Offices serving the lake area.
2024 Early Voting: TBD
2024 Saturdays for early voting: TBD

You may also vote in person on Election Day from 6 am to 7 pm at your local precinct. If you’re not sure about your polling location, contact your county Registrar’s Office or use the Polling Place Lookup from the Virginia Department of Elections.