Every year, hundreds of voters cast absentee ballots in the Historic Triangle because they can’t make it to the polls on Election Day.
Local voters this year will cast ballots for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, members of the House of Delegates, and other local elected positions this fall.
If you meet one of 19 requirements, you may be able to vote absentee, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
Absentee ballots are available to pregnant women, active duty members of the military, students attending college away from home, and those with mobility or health issues, according to the department of elections.
The deadline to register to vote in the Virginia Nov. 7 general election — or to update registration information — is Monday, Oct. 16. For those unable to make it to the polls, voters can request an absentee ballot online through the Virginia Department of Elections by clicking here.
In York County, voter registration applications can be obtained and submitted in-person at the Registrar’s Office at 224 Ballard St in Yorktown, Yorktown Library, Tabb Library, and the Griffin-Yeates Center. Applications can also be obtained via the registrar’s website, according to York County General Registrar Walt Latham.
In James City County, voter registration applications can be obtained and submitted in-person at the registrar’s office at 5300 Palmer Lane in James City County, according to General Registrar Dianna Moorman.
In Williamsburg, voter registration applications can be obtained and submitted in-person at the registrar’s office at 401 Lafayette Street in Williamsburg, General Registrar Winifred Sowder.
General registrar’s offices in York County, James City County and the City of Williamsburg will also be open to accommodate absentee voters on the two Saturdays before the election, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 31, according to the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Nov. 4 is the final day to vote absentee in-person, according to the Virginia Department of Elections website.
The law permits emergency absentee voting in two situations until 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6.
Virginia law requires voters to present an acceptable photo ID when voting in-person. For a list of acceptable forms of photo identification, or to find out how to obtain a free Virginia Voter Photo ID Card, click here.
Election information is available for York County here. Election information is available for James City County here. Election information is available for Williamsburg here.
