HISTORIC TRIANGLE —In-person early voting for the November General Election begins on Friday, Sept. 22. Here’s what you need to know about voting in the Historic Triangle.
Who is Eligible to Vote?
You can register to vote in Virginia if you meet the following requirements:
You are a resident of Virginia
You are a citizen of the United States
You are at least 18 years of age by the next November general election
You are not registered/planning to vote in another state
You are not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law
If convicted of a felony, your right to vote must have been restored
Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal.
Following is specific voting information for the City of Williamsburg and James City and York counties:
James City County
Where to Vote
James City County has 18 voting precincts. Where to vote is determined by where the voter lives and is registered to vote. On Election Day, voters must vote at their assigned polling place. Voters my view polling place, election district, absentee ballot status and voting history here. The county urges voters to check their polling place location prior to Election Day, or call 757-259-4949 to be directed to the correct polling place. Those who voted at Hickory Neck Episcopal Church, 8300 Richmond Road, in Toano in November 2021 should check for their new voting location
Early Voting (before Election Day) — This option is available to all James City County registered voters at the JCC Vote Center regardless assigned polling place. The Vote Center is the only designated location in James City County for early voting in-person. An absentee ballot application is not used for early voting in-person. Voters will need to provide their name and address and present an acceptable ID.
Election Day, Nov. 7 — Election Day Hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at every polling place in Virginia.
Voting by mail
Absentee voting by mail is available to all James City County registered voters who wish to vote an absentee ballot by mail. A completed, signed, submitted absentee ballot application is required for this method.
Voters with a Virginia DMV Driver’s License or ID may Register to Vote Online. The last day to register online for the November General Election is Monday, Oct. 16, at 11:59 p.m. Voters with questions should email vote@jamescitycountyva.gov or call 757-259-4949.
Voters may also register by visiting any voter registration office and filling out a voter registration form by close of business on the last day of registratio. Forms are available at the JCC Office of Elections , 4095 Ironbound Road, which accepts voter registration applications for any locality in Virginia.
Additionally, voters may complete a Voter Registration Application form on their computer, print it, and mail it to the JCC Office of Elections, 4095 Ironbound Road. Or print a blank application form, complete it legibly, then mail it to the same address. All applications must be signed and dated, and the county asks voters to review applications carefully before submitting. Applications may also be scanned and emailed to Vote@jamescitycountyva.gov or faxed to 757-259-4945. Those who need a paper application mailed to them should call 757-259-4949.
The deadline to receive a voter registration application in the mail at the JCC Office of Elections is Monday, Oct. 16 by 5 p.m. for the November 2023 General Election.
Those already registered and needing to report a change of name or address are required to notify the Office of Elections in writing of any change to remain a qualified voter. Deadlines are the same as registering to vote. Learn more at the Department of Elections website.
City of Williamsburg
Where to Vote
Polling places may be found on the Virginia Department of Elections website. The City of Williamsburg has two voting precincts. Both Polling Precincts are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Days.
The polling place address given is based on the resident address information provided. It does not confirm that you are registered to vote at the polling place address displayed. The city strongly urghes those who have questions about registration status to contact their local voter registration office at least 29 days before the election date.
Early Voting (before Election Day) — City voters can cast their ballots in person at the Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette St. in the Registrar’s Office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until Friday, Nov. 3. The office will also be open two Saturdays during this election season: Oct. 28 and Nov. 4.
Election Day, Nov. 7 — Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. To see a precinct map for polling locations on Election Day, visit williamsburgva.gov/vote.
Voting by Mail
Absentee ballots, which will be mailed to those who requested to vote by mail, can be returned to a dropbox outside the front doors of the Municipal Building or sent through the mail; postage is prepaid. Ballots sent through the mail must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 7, and received no later than Monday, Nov. 13.
To request an absentee ballot, contact Tina Reitzel at 757-220-6157 or treitzel@williamsburgva.gov. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Friday, Oct. 27.
Voter Registration
To register to vote, contact Tina Reitzel at 757-220-6157 or treitzel@williamsburgva.gov. The last day to register is Monday, Oct. 16.
According to the county, there are two ways to vote in person:
Early Voting (before Election Day) is available starting Sept. 22 at 8:30 a.m. at both office locations, 5322 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown or 6614 Mooretown Road, Ste. A, Williamsburg. Voting will continue, Monday through Friday, until Friday, Nov. 3, from 8:30-5:00. Both offices will also be open on two Saturdays (Oct. 28 and Nov. 4) from 9:00-5:00.
Election Day, Nov. 7: All regular York County polling places will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you are in line at 7 p.m., you are still able to vote, and should not get out of line.
Voting by Mail
Voters who wish to vote absentee by mail should apply for an absentee ballot online, or download a form here to complete, sign, and mail to the office. Absentee ballot applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 in order to be sent an absentee ballot by mail.
Voters who receive their ballot by mail can return it by mail or by dropbox. Ballot dropboxes will be available the same dates, times, and locations listed above for early voting, as well as on Monday, Nov. 6, from 8:30-5:00. Dropboxes will also be available at each York County polling place on Election Day from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The Constitution of Virginia requires that voters be registered in the precinct in which they live in order to be qualified to vote. The deadline to register to vote in the election, or to update one’s registration information in time for the election, is Monday, Oct.16. Same-day registration is available after Oct. 16, but same-day registrants will be required to vote a provisional ballot.
Qualified residents who will be at least 18 years of age on or before Nov. 7, may register and vote. Voters who are members of the uniformed services or who are overseas may visit the website of the Department of Elections for information on how to ensure they are able to vote in this election.
There are three ways citizens can register or update their voter registration information:
Citizens can register to vote, update, and check their voter registration information online.
A copy of the voter registration form is also available online and can be printed off, completed, signed, and then mailed or hand-delivered to the Registrar’s Office.
Citizens may come to one of the following sites and register in person
Registrar’s Office (Washington Square, Grafton) — 5322 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown — Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Registrar’s Office (Victory Village, Williamsburg) — 6614 Mooretown Road, Suite A, Williamsburg — Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tabb Library — 100 Long Green Blvd., Tabb — During library hours
Griffin-Yeates Center — 1490 Government Road, Williamsburg — Monday-Friday: 8:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The law permits emergency absentee voting in a few, very limited situations until 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, the county said. For more information on emergency absentee voting, call the Registrar’s Office at 757-890-3440.
