Virginia's voter guide: The ins and outs of casting a ballot for November 8 election

Are you ready for the Nov. 8 election in Virginia?
Are you ready for the Nov. 8 election in Virginia?

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is previewing a comprehensive guide to voting rights across the US that's publishing later this week.

November is only three months away, which means voting season is just around the corner. Virginia voters will have the opportunity to select congressional and local candidates to office Nov. 8, 2022.

Here is a complete list of information on Virginia’s election process and rules to follow.

Early voting

Registered voters can cast their ballots up to 45 days before the election until the Saturday before Election Day. If voting early in person, you do not need to fill out an application. Simply show up to your registrar's office or a voting location in your jurisdiction. You must provide your name, address and an acceptable form of identification to cast a ballot. If you do not have an accepted form of ID, you will be required to sign an ID Confirmation Statement. Curbside voting is still available upon request. The Department of Elections encourages residents to check voter registration status before voting early.

Felon voting

In Virginia, those incarcerated lose their civil rights, including the right to vote. Formerly incarcerated Virginia residents are eligible to restore their voting rights once the individual is free of all incarceration terms. Just contact the Secretary of the Commonwealth to request restoration at 804-692-0104 or visit https://www.restore.virginia.gov/ and click the "request your right be restored" button to begin the process online.

The restoration process takes one to three months. Virginians can check the status of their rights at https://solutions.virginia.gov/RestorationOfRights/Search.

Mail-in and absentee ballots

Any registered voter can cast an absentee ballot by mail after submitting an absentee ballot application. When filling out the form, applicants have the choice to vote by mail for one election or for all future elections. Fairfax County residents can track their mail-in ballots here. The last day eligible voters can cast an absentee ballot is Oct. 22 by 5 p.m. People interested in voting by mail can find the application on the Department of Elections website.

In 2020 alone, 4.48 million total ballots were cast, and 2.68 million of which were absentee votes. That means in 2020, 59.89% of ballots casted were absentee.

Emergency absentee voting is allowed in certain situations, such as:

  • You are either an officer of election who was assigned after 12 p.m. the Saturday before the election to work in a precinct other than your own

  • You had an obligation arise after 12 p.m. the Saturday before the election because of your business, profession, or occupation; hospitalization of you or a member of your immediate family; or the death of an immediate family member

  • You couldn't apply for an absentee ballot by the deadline because of hospitalization or illness, or the hospitalization, illness, or death of an immediate family member or a different emergency that justifies an emergency absentee ballot

Voters may request to vote emergency absentee by 2 p.m. the day before the election.

Polling place rules

No loitering or congregating within 40 feet while polls are open, ballots are being counted or within one hour of opening or closing; authorized representatives are not allowed to hinder, delay, influence voters; looking at the marked ballot of another voter; giving or exhibiting any campaign material to any person. Those who violate these policies are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Voter identification

Voters must provide an accepted form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the polls. Some accepted forms of ID include:

  • Virginia driver's license

  • Virginia DMV-issued ID card

  • valid employee ID card, containing a photograph, issued by voter’s employer in ordinary course of business

  • U.S. Military ID

  • valid student ID containing a photo issued by an higher education institution in the U.S.

  • valid student ID issued by a Virginia higher education institution

  • valid student ID issued by a Virginia high school

  • valid U.S. Passport

  • voter ID card issued by the Department of Elections

  • Government-issued ID card from a federal, Virginia, or local political subdivision

A full list of acceptable forms of ID can be viewed here.

Redistricting (gerrymandering)

Virginia's last redistricting cycle was completed in December 2021. For the first time ever, a redistricting commission made up of citizen and legislative members were tasked with drawing the new district lines for the state. Unfortunately, the group was unable to deliver any maps and Virginia's Supreme Court took over. Many politicians from both sides have responded positively to the new lines, saying they are "sensible," according to Ballotpedia.

Check your polling location online by entering your address here. To check your voting district, simply log into your voter profile on the Department of Elections website.

Voter fraud

Virginia's Department of Elections has not yet responded to an inquiry of the total voting fraud cases since the 2020 election.

However, we were able to identify one incident that occurred just months ago. A Buchanan County Board of Supervisors member, Trey Adkins, was charged with more than 80 felonies related to election fraud accusations and several types of misconduct in May 2022. Sherry Lynn Bailey was charged with 12 felony indictments.

How to register to vote

Residents can register to vote either online or in person. You can apply online at www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal or by requesting an application from your local registrar, at a Department of Motor Vehicles office or by contacting a candidate's campaign, political party or through a voter outreach organization.

Find your registrar's phone number here.

The deadline to apply to vote in the Nov. 8 election is Oct. 17.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Virginia voter guide: From registering to vote to restoring rights