The 2018 General Election will be on Nov. 6, but residents can begin casting their absentee ballots on Friday, according to a release from James City County.
“Absentee voting is a great option for those who can’t make it to the polls on Election Day,” said Department of Elections Commissioner Christopher Piper. “Whether you vote absentee by mail or in-person, it is important that you exercise your right to vote.”
To vote absentee, Virginia residents must qualify under one of the 20 eligibility requirements that are listed on the Virginia Absentee Ballot Application:
- You are a student (or the spouse of a student) attending college or university outside of your Virginia locality
- You have business outside your county/city of residence on Election Day
- You have personal business or vacation outside county/city of residence on Election Day
- You are working and commuting to/from home for 11 or more hours between 6am and 7pm on Election Day
- You are a first responder (member of law enforcement, fire fighter, emergency technician, search and rescue)
- You have a disability or illness
- You are primarily and personally responsible for the care of a disabled/ill family member confined at home
- You are pregnant
- You are confined, and awaiting trial, or convicted of a misdemeanor
- You are an electoral board member, registrar, officer of election or custodian of voting equipment
- You have a religious obligation that prevents you from voting on Election Day
- You are an active duty member of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine (or the spouse of an active duty member)
- You are temporarily residing outside of the US
- You moved to another state less than 30 days before a presidential election (you will only receive a ballot for the presidential/vice-presidential election; ballots for other offices/issues will not be sent)
- You are an authorized representative of candidate or party serving inside the polling place
- You have been granted a protective order by a court
Virginia residents can either vote in-person at their local voter registration office or by mail. An absentee ballot can be requested online using the Department’s secure online Citizen Portal.
Voter registration offices in the Historic Triangle are located at:
- Williamsburg: 401 Lafayette St Williamsburg, VA, open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- York County: 224 Ballard St. Yorktown, VA, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- James City County: 5300 Palmer Lane, Williamsburg, VA, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As the General Election approaches, there are important dates to remember:
- Registration deadline: Oct. 15
- Application to apply for ballot by mail: 5 p.m. Oct. 30
- Vote absentee in-person: Nov. 3
- Vote absentee by mail: 7 p.m. Nov. 6
To find information about the upcoming election and check registration status, voters can visit the Virginia Department of Elections online.
