Election Day: Start and End Times
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, all polling places across the Commonwealth of Virginia will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you will be permitted to vote. An election officer is required to announce the closing of the polls 15 minutes prior, at 6:45 p.m., to give everyone fair warning. Officials will then allow anyone who was already in the queue at the 7:00 p.m. cutoff to cast their ballot.
What to Bring to the Polls
Virginia law requires voters to show an acceptable form of identification to vote in person. However, the options are broad and you have alternatives if you forget your ID. Acceptable forms include a Virginia driver's license (current or expired), a U.S. passport, a U.S. military ID, a student ID from
a Virginia high school or any U.S. institution of higher education, or an employee ID card. You can also use a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck that shows your name and address. If you arrive at your polling place without an ID, you can simply sign an ID Confirmation Statement to affirm your identity and then vote using a regular ballot. If you choose not to sign the statement, you can cast a provisional ballot, but you will need to provide a copy of a valid ID to the electoral board by noon on the Friday after the election for your vote to count.
Early Voting: How and When
For those who prefer to vote ahead of Election Day, Virginia offers a generous 45-day early voting period. For the November 3rd general election, in-person early voting begins on Friday, September 18, 2026, and runs through Saturday, October 31, 2026. You can cast your ballot at your local general registrar's office or a designated satellite voting location. For the first time, all localities will also offer early voting on multiple weekends, including Saturday, October 24, Sunday, October 25, and the final Saturday, October 31. Be sure to check with your local registrar's office for specific hours and locations, as they can vary.
Voting by Mail: Key Deadlines
Any registered voter in Virginia can request a mail-in ballot without needing a specific reason. The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026. You can submit your request online through the state's official Citizen Portal, or by contacting your local registrar. To be counted, your completed ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day (November 3) and received by your local registrar's office no later than noon on Friday, November 6. You can also return your mail-in ballot in person at your registrar's office, a designated drop-box, or any polling place on Election Day until 7:00 p.m.
Registration and Finding Your Polling Place
The deadline to register to vote or update your existing registration for the general election is October 23, 2026. However, Virginia also offers same-day registration. If you register after the deadline, you can still vote by casting a provisional ballot, which will be counted once your registration is approved by the local electoral board. Before you head out, it's essential to confirm your registration status and polling location. The Virginia Department of Elections provides an easy-to-use Citizen Portal on its website where you can enter your information to verify you're registered and find the correct address for your precinct.
