Voting in Virginia November 2023

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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. Your 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

Find your districts and learn who’s on your ballot

02

Plan how and when you will vote

03

Tell your friends and family to vote!

04

9/22

First day to vote early in-person

10/16

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

10/27

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

11/4

Last day to vote early in-person

11/7

Election Day

Register to vote or update your voter registration!

Click here
If you have moved or changed your name, update your voter registration.
If you don’t have a Virginia driver’s license or state-issued ID, you can still register to vote.

Deadline: October 16
After registering, you will receive confirmation of your registration in the mail. If you do not receive any confirmation, check your voter record online, or contact your local registrar office, to make sure that your application has been processed.
If you miss the deadline, you can still vote! Same-day voter registration allows you to cast a provisional ballot at the polls.

  • Provisional ballots will not be counted immediately, as they are first subject to verification of identity or qualification.
find your district and its upcoming electionslearn who's on your ballot
va state senators & representativesboard of supervisorsschool board

Virginia State Senate & House of Delegates

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 Senate and House:

  • Meet with constituents, listen to their concerns, and advocate for their best interests
  • Make and pass federal laws on matters including education, healthcare, social services, and public safety
  • Introduce all revenue-raising bills
  • Initiate impeachment proceedings against a president or other federal officer
  • Elect 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). Visit your county’s website for more information.

Responsibilities:

  • 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). Visit your county’s website for more information.

Responsibilities:

  • 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

Voters are encouraged to vote by mail or early in-person to avoid potentially 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-personvote on election day

Voting By Mail

(Absentee Ballot)

Apply for your absentee ballot by 5pm on October 27.

Follow all instructions to fill out your ballot accurately.

  • Starting this year, you will no longer be required to include a witness signature, but must include the last 4 digits of your social security number and your birth year.
Return your ballot.

  • By mail – post office must receive it by November 7.
  • Secure drop-boxes – find locations on your county’s or city’s voting site
  • In-person – at your local registrar office before 7pm on November 7.
You can vote absentee for any reason.
Track the status of your ballot at hamkaecenter.org/vote.
Request and return your ballot as soon as possible to avoid mail delays!

Early Voting In-Person

September 22 – November 4
Vote at your local registrar office.
Bring an acceptable form of identification.

  • 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 a statement affirming your identity.
You do not need to fill out an application or provide 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 Election Day

Tuesday, November 7; 6am – 7pm. Anyone in line by 7pm will be allowed to vote.
Vote at your polling place.
Bring an acceptable form of identification.

  • 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 a statement affirming your identity.
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:

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!