The 2014 congressional election turnout rate was 41.9 percent — the lowest since the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking voter turnout in 1978, according to the bureau’s 2015 study.
In the most recent congressional election of 2014, 31.2 percent of all voters reported either voting early, voting by mail, or absentee voting. This was about a threefold increase from 1996, when only 10.5 percent of voters reported voting by alternative methods, according to the bureau’s study.
Here’s the scoop on absentee voting on the Southside:
- The 2018 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.
- Polls will be opened 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the Virginia Board of Elections’ website.
- Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration, is Monday, Oct. 15. Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the citizen portal.
- Deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you is Tuesday, Oct. 30. Request must be received by your registrar by 5 p.m.
- Deadline to request absentee ballot in person is 5 p.m. on Nov. 3
- Voted ballot must be received by registrar by 7 p.m. on Nov. 6
City of Virginia Beach
- To request absentee ballot, print and fill out the absentee ballot application, then mail to the following address:
- City of Virginia Beach, Voter Registration and Elections, P.O. Box 6247, 2449 Princess Anne Road, Municipal Center, Building 14, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
- Registrar must receive application by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30
- Residents can also go to these addresses for in-person absentee voting. Deadline to do so is 5 p.m. on Nov. 3
General election info:
- Find your polling station by filling out your info here.
- See who is running by viewing the candidate lists.
- Virginia Beach Director of Elections and General Registrar: Donna Patterson.
City of Norfolk
- Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the citizen portal.
- To request absentee ballot by mail, print and fill out the absentee ballot application, then mail to the following address: City of Norfolk, Office of Elections, 810 Union St., Room 808, Norfolk, VA. 23510. City of Norfolk registrar must receive application by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30
- Residents can also go to the above address for in-person absentee voting. Deadline to do so is 5 p.m. on Nov. 3
General election info:
- Find your polling station by filling out your info here
- See who is running by viewing the candidate lists
- Norfolk residents may register to vote in person in the Office of Elections, City Hall Building, Room 808 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadline to register is Monday, October 15th
- City of Norfolk’s Director of Elections and General Registrar: Stephanie L. Iles
