Voting in Virginia 2023 Primary

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This year in Virginia, the State House of Delegates, State Senate, as well as many local offices such as Board of Supervisors and School Boards, are up for election.

DID YOU KNOW that in 2017, a Virginia House seat was decided by pulling a name out of a hat because the election was tied? In state and local elections, the winner can come down to just one vote!

Asian Americans are an important voting bloc whose turnout has skyrocketed in recent elections, and we must continue to make our voices heard. Voting in the primary election is how voters set the stage of who they want to see on the ballot in the general elections. Your primary vote is an expression of what’s most important to you – from policies to government spending and everything in between. You’re voting for the leaders who will fight for what you and your communities care about.

Redistricting in 2021 means that there are now new electoral boundaries. Find your new polling locations, district numbers, and learn more about the positions up for election. Make a plan to vote using our checklist below!

Checklist: Are you ready to vote?

Register to vote or check your current registration status

01

Does your district have a primary? Learn who’s on your ballot

02

Plan how and when you will vote

03

Tell your friends and family to vote!

04

5/5

First day to vote early in-person

5/30

Last day to register to vote and to update your voter information

6/9

Last day to request your absentee ballot by mail, fax, or email

6/17

Last day to vote early in-person

6/20

Primary Election Day

Register to vote or update your voter registration!

Click here

Update your voter registration if you have moved or changed your name.

The deadline to register to vote or update your voter information to vote in the 2022 primary is May 30.

If you don’t have a Virginia driver’s license or state-issued ID, register either:

After submitting your voter registration, you should receive a notification in the mail confirming your registration status. If you do not receive one, contact your local registrar’s office to make sure that your application has been processed or check your voter record online.

If you miss the voter registration deadline, same-day registration allows you to cast a provisional ballot. However, provisional ballots will not be counted immediately, as they are first subject to verification of identity or qualification.

If there is a “dual” primary for your district (a primary for a Republican candidate and a primary for a Democratic candidate), you will need to request whether you want a ballot for the Republican candidates or for the Democratic candidates. If you live in a district where there is only one primary for one party, you will be given the ballot for that party. If there are not multiple candidates from the same party, there will be no primary for district, but in November, there may be one candidate from each party or a candidate may be running unopposed.

find your district and its upcoming electionslearn who's on your ballot
va state senators & representatives
board of supervisors
school board

Virginia State Senate & House of Representatives

The Virginia State Senate consists of 40 members. Each Senator is elected from a separate and distinct district for a term of 4 years. The Senate is the upper chamber of the Virginia General Assembly that works alongside the House and Governor to create state laws and establish a state budget. The Senate is also responsible for confirming the Governor’s appointees to policy, advisory, and supervisory positions.

The Virginia House of Delegates consists of 100 members. Each Delegate is elected from a separate and distinct district for a term of 2 years. The House of Delegates is the lower chamber of the Virginia General Assembly that works alongside the Senate and Governor to create state laws and establish a state budget.

Responsibilities of the House and Senate include:

  • Meets with constituents, listen to their concerns, and advocate for their best interests
  • Makes and passes federal laws on matters including education, healthcare, social services, and public safety
  • Introduces all revenue-raising bills
  • Initiates impeachment proceedings against a president or other federal officer
  • Elects the president if the electoral college is tied

Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is the entity that oversees county government by ensuring public services are provided effectively and efficiently. Each county will differ in how many seats are on the Board of Supervisors and how many are elected by district and/or at-large (representing the whole county). Please visit your county’s website for more information.

Responsibilities include:

  • Establish county government policy on matters including education, public safety, and transportation
  • Approve the county’s budget and set local tax rates
  • Make decisions on land use plans and building permits

School Board

School boards operate the public schools of each local jurisdiction by setting general school policy and establishing guidelines that will ensure the proper administration of the public schools programs. Each county will differ in how many seats are on the School Board and how many are elected by district and/or at-large (representing the whole county). Please visit your county’s website for more information.

Responsibilities include:

  • Listen to testimony from students, parents, and staff on school related issues
  • Establish budgets and policies for public schools
  • Make decisions about public school curriculum content
  • Decide teacher salaries

Due to COVID-19, voters are encouraged to vote by mail to ensure physical distancing, or to vote early to avoid long lines on Election Day. Learn about the different voting options, decide which is best for you, and make sure you are prepared to make your voice heard!

vote by mail (absentee)
vote early in-person
vote on primary election day

Voting By Mail

(Absentee Ballot)

Apply for your absentee ballot, either:

Follow all instructions to fill out your ballot accurately.

  • Make sure you have all the signatures required on the outside of the envelope, including a witness signature.

Return your ballot, either:

  • By mail – Post office must receive it by June 20.
  • Secure drop-boxes – find locations on your city or county’s voting site
  • In-person – at your local registrar office before 7pm on June 20.

REMINDERS:

  • Any registered voter can vote absentee for any reason.
  • All mail-in ballots are trackable. Track your ballot at hamkaecenter.org/vote.
  • Request and return your ballot as soon as possible to avoid mail delays!

Early Voting In-Person

Visit your local registrar office from May 5 to June 17.

Bring an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID confirmation statement.

  • You are required to show one form of identification but it does not need to be a photo ID. Acceptable IDs include any government document that shows your name and address, or a bank statement, utility bill, or paycheck.
  • If you don’t have an acceptable ID, you will be allowed to vote if you sign an ID statement affirming your identity.

REMINDERS:

  • You do not need to fill out an application or have a reason to vote early in-person.
  • If you need language assistance, it is your right to bring someone (e.g. family, friend, neighbor) into the voting booth with you, as long as they are not your employer or your union representative.

Voting on Primary Election Day

Visit your polling location on Tuesday, June 20, between 6am and 7pm.

  • Anyone in line by 7pm will be allowed to vote.

Bring an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID confirmation statement.

  • You will need to show one form of identification but it does not need to be a photo ID. Acceptable IDs include any government document that shows your name and address, or a bank statement, utility bill, or paycheck.
  • If you don’t have an acceptable ID, you will be allowed to vote if you sign an ID statement affirming your identity.

REMINDER: If you need language assistance, it is your right to bring someone (e.g. family, friend, neighbor) into the voting booth with you, as long as they are not your employer or your union representative.

I vote because my voice mattersPlay Video

I Vote Because… 1:41

Hamkae Center staff and community members share why we vote! Why do you vote?

because I could finally have a say in what the government could look like and what I want my future to bePlay Video

WE ARE VOTERS 2:39

We asked new, young voters across Virginia why people like them should vote.

Have Questions?
Need Help Voting?

Call the following hotlines:

Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, & Bengali: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)

English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)

Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)

Get Involved

Interested in promoting civic engagement in your community? We’re in need of volunteers for the following activities:

Translating & reviewing translations

Being a poll worker

Poll monitoring

sign up today!

Voting every year is just one of many ways we can move the needle- we have to continue building power in our communities to make more transformative change.

join our movement!