Voting in Virginia Nov 2024

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This year in Virginia, the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, President, as well as local offices such as School Boards, are up for election.

Every vote matters! DID YOU KNOW that in 2017, a Virginia House seat was decided by pulling a name out of a bowl because the election was tied?  The winner of an election can come down to just one vote!

Asian Americans are the fastest growing group of eligible voters, and our voting turnout has skyrocketed in recent elections. We must continue this momentum and make our voices heard. Your vote is an expression of what’s important to you and is a way to advocate for your community’s values. We’ve come this far because our communities are resilient and united. Let’s continue to show up for each other.

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

Learn who’s on your ballot

02

Plan how and when you will vote

03

Tell your friends and family to vote!

04

9/20

First day to vote early in-person

10/15

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

If you miss this deadline, you can still vote thanks to same-day voter registration!

10/25

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

11/2

Last day to vote early in-person

11/5

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 15
After submitting, 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 any early voting location in your county/city, or at your polling place on Election Day.

  • 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
presidentu.s. house of representativesu.s. senateschool board

President

The President is the head of state of the United States of America. Their constituency consists of the whole country.

Responsibilities:

  • Sign and veto bills passed by Congress
  • Make political appointments such as ambassadors and members of the Cabinet
  • Propose and negotiate agreements between the United States and other countries
  • Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces

U.S. House of Representatives

The U.S. House of Representatives is 1 of the 2 chambers of Congress, which make up the legislative branch of our federal government. U.S. House of Representatives seats are up for election every two years. The number of representatives from each state is determined by the population of the state. Virginia has 11 House of Representatives seats.

Responsibilities:

  • 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

U.S. Senate

The U.S. Senate is 1 of the 2 chambers of Congress, which make up the legislative branch of our federal government. This position is up for election every six years. Every state elects 2 U.S. Senators that make up the 100 members in the Senate.

Responsibilities:

  • Proposes legislation; drafts and amends bills
  • Oversees the federal budget
  • Convicts an executive or judicial official with a 2/3 vote in an impeachment trial
  • Approves or rejects the presidential appointees to executive and judicial branch posts

School Board

School boards operate the public schools of their 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

You can vote by mail for convenience, or vote early in-person 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-personvote on election day

Voting By Mail

(Absentee Ballot)

Apply for your absentee ballot by 5pm on October 25.

Follow all instructions to fill out your ballot accurately.

  • Make sure you have all the signatures required on the outside of the envelope, as well as the last 4 digits of your SSN (social security number).
Return your ballot.

  • By mail – post office must receive it by November 5.
  • 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 5.
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!

Voting Early In-Person

September 20 – November 2
Vote at your local registrar office or an early voting location in your county/city.
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 5; 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 and/or 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!