Ballot by Mail
ballotbymail.org · nonpartisan
ballotbymail.org · nonpartisan
November 3, 2026 general election
Voting by mail in Virginia
Yes. Anyone can request a mail ballot. Any registered voter can request a mail (absentee) ballot, no reason needed. There's a deadline, so request early.
Key dates
| Register to vote by | Fri, Oct 23 (same-day registration also available) |
| Mail ballot request received by | Fri, Oct 23, 5 p.m. |
| Early in-person voting | Fri, Sep 18 – Sat, Oct 31 |
| Mail your ballot by | Tue, Oct 27 (USPS: allow 7 days) |
| Election Day | Tue, Nov 3 |
| Return rule | Postmarked by Election Day and received by noon Nov. 6. |
| Fix a signature problem by | Fri, Nov 6 |
Steps
- Request your ballot now. Don't wait for the deadline.
- Confirm your registration and mailing address while you're at it.
- When it arrives, fill it out in blue or black ink and sign the envelope.
- Return it by drop box or in person if you can. Mail it at least a week early if not.
- Track it on your state's tracker until it shows received.
Don't get rejected
- Sign the envelope. An unsigned envelope is the most common fixable mistake.
- Use the secrecy sleeve if one is included, then the return envelope. Don't tape anything.
- Keep the phone and email on your registration current. If there's a problem, that's how they reach you to fix it.
Official election office
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/
Track your ballot
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/
This page, with live updates
ballotbymail.org/state/va
ballotbymail.org/state/va
Trouble voting? 866-OUR-VOTE (English) · 888-VE-Y-VOTA (Español) · 888-API-VOTE (Asian languages) · 844-YALLA-US (العربية)
Rules checked 2026-09-09; deadlines checked 2026-09-09. Sources: NCSL, Vote.org, CEIR, state election offices. The official site wins if anything differs. Free to copy and post.