Early Voting

Steps

To vote early, please follow these steps:

  1. Early Voting begins in your local Office of Voter Registration 45 days before each election, during all office hours (normally 8:30  AM to 4:30 PM, Mon - Fri) and ends at 5:00 PM on the last Saturday before the election. The office is open the last two Saturdays before any election, and may set additional hours. See our home page for that information.
  2. Voting early in the Voter Registration Office will be similar to how you would in the precinct on Election Day. Please bring acceptable ID (PDF) or be prepared to complete an ID Confirmation Statement in order to vote.
  3. Curbside voting (from your car) is always available to anyone with a disability, limited mobility or over the age of 65. Call us if you have any questions at 434-970-3250.
  4. If you would like a ballot mailed to you, apply online at the Virginia Department of Elections. Complete all fields, including whether or not you need assistance casting your ballot, and all requested personal information. You must have a Virginia DMV-issued ID in order to complete the process online. The application is also available in the Voter Registration Office and can be printed Virginia Vote By Mail Application (PDF).
  5. Return the application to the Office of Voter Registration online or by mail, fax or email (a scanned image or clear photograph). We must receive your application no later than 5 PM eleven days prior to the election. Please apply earlier if you can. Ballots are mailed starting 45 days before the election. Make sure that you will have enough time to receive, vote and return your ballot by mail. Your mail ballot must either be hand delivered by 7:00 PM on Election Day or postmarked by the day of the election and received in the office by noon on the following Friday.

Voting by Mail

The following steps apply to voting by mail only:

  1. If you applied early to vote by mail, you should look for you ballot to arrive approximately 40-45 days prior to the election. If you applied to vote by mail after early voting has already begun, you should expect to receive your ballot within 7-10 business days of our office receiving your application. If you do not receive your ballot in a timely manner, please contact our office at (434) 970-3250 or vote@charlottesville.gov. 
  2. Once you receive your ballot, you may open it in the presence of a witness, but it is not required. Mark it privately as you see fit, then seal it in the Envelope B provided. Be sure to completely fill out Envelope B. You MUST sign the Statement of Voter.
  3. If you said on the application that you would need assistance in reading or marking your ballot, a blue assistance form was sent with your ballot. It should be completed (whether or not assistance was needed), signed and mailed back.
  4. Once your ballot has been voted, and the envelope signed and witnessed, mail or hand deliver your ballot to the Voter Registration Office.  Your ballot must be hand delivered by 7:00 PM on Election Day or postmarked by the day of the election and received in the office by noon on the following Friday. There is a secure ballot drop box immediately outside the Voter Registration Office available 24/7 to accept mail ballots. 

Important Recommendations

The Office of Voter Registration recommends that you apply early for a mail ballot. Please contact our office if you do not receive your mail ballot in a timely fashion. 

If you choose to vote early in-person, it is recommend that you vote within the first three weeks of the in-person voting period to avoid longer lines.