EARLY VOTING FOR 2026 NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION BEGINS SEPT. 18

RICHMOND, VA – Virginia voters can begin casting their ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election as early as September 18 in their locality. Early in-person voting will continue through Saturday, Oct. 31, and is available in every locality across the Commonwealth. Virginia’s official 45-day early voting period begins Saturday, Sept. 19, but general registrar offices that will be closed on that date must offer early voting starting on Sept. 18.

Early In-Person Voting

To vote early in-person, registered voters should go to their locality’s designated early voting location for the jurisdiction in which they are registered, present an acceptable ID and cast their ballot. A list of acceptable forms of identification can be found online. (Do I need an ID to vote?)

Early voting locations, dates, and hours vary by locality, and some jurisdictions offer multiple early voting locations. Voters should confirm location details and operating hours set by the locality, including any holiday schedules (such as Oct. 12) by contacting their general registrar’s office. The information can also be found on the Department of Elections website. (Early Voting Office Locations)

*New for 2026*, early voting will take place in all localities on the second and third Sundays before Election Day, in addition to the two Saturdays already available. For the 2026 general election, the weekend early voting days are:

• Sunday, Oct. 18
• Saturday, Oct. 24
• Sunday, Oct. 25
• Saturday, Oct. 31

Curbside voting is also available for those with disabilities and those over 65 who wish to vote in person. Contact information for general registrar’s offices can be found through the Department of Elections website. (Local Contact Information)

Absentee Voting by Mail

Requested absentee ballots are mailed no later than Sept. 18, including ballots to registered military and overseas voters. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot either in person, by mail, online (Citizen Portal) or by contacting their general registrar’s office. Registered voters do not need a reason to request an absentee ballot. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is Oct. 23.

Absentee ballots may be returned:

• In person directly to the general registrar’s office;
• At designated drop-off locations during the early voting period;
• At polling locations on Election Day; or
• By mail (must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and received by noon, Nov. 6).

To ensure a postmark, the U.S. Postal Service advises voters to take their ballot inside a post office location and request a postmark. (Election Mail) Any ballot received after Election Day that is not postmarked will NOT be counted.

Due to routine delays in international postal delivery, voters who live outside the United States who requested a ballot by mail are advised to use a commercial delivery service such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. to return their ballot to the general registrar’s office.

Anyone choosing to mail their ballot should do so as early as possible. Voters can check the status of their mailed ballot through the Department of Elections Citizen Portal using the “Check registration status” link. (Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal)

Voters with visual or manual dexterity impairment may utilize an electronic ballot-marking tool to complete an absentee ballot. For additional assistance, voters may contact their general registrar’s office or the Department of Election at 1-800-552-9745 or email info@elections.virginia.gov.

Ballot Information

On the ballot this year in Virginia are races for U.S. Senate, all 11 House of Representatives seats, local offices, a special election for House of Delegates District 20 and three proposed amendments to the Constitution of Virginia.

A full list of candidates in all 2026 races and explanations for the proposed amendments can be found online. (Virginia Dept. of Elections: Candidates & Referendums)

Important dates for the Nov. 3 election cycle:

• Sept. 18 – Early voting begins.
• Oct. 18 – Registrar offices open for Sunday voting.
• Oct. 23 – Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail or online.
• Oct. 23 – Deadline to register to vote and cast a regular ballot.
• Oct. 24 – Same-day registration begins. Anyone registering and voting at the same time will have to cast a provisional ballot.
• Oct. 24 – Registrar offices open for Saturday voting.
• Oct. 25 – Registrar offices open for Sunday voting.
• Oct. 31 – Last day of early voting.
• Nov. 3 – ELECTION DAY
• Nov. 6 – All mailed ballots must be received by the general registrar’s office by noon.
• Nov. 13 – Deadline for local electoral board to certify provisional ballots.
• Dec. 7 – State Board of Elections certifies results.

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