Voting
Be Election Ready!
View the 10 tips to enhance your voting experience (PDF).
Election Myths
View Voter Education: Mythbusters and learn the facts.
Update Voter Registration Information
If you move, always keep your address up to date. This will ensure you are eligible to vote in the next election. Visit the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal to review, change your voter registration information, or to apply to vote absentee by mail.
When to Vote
Where to Vote
Absentee/Early Voting (45 days before each election):
- Registrar's Office (all elections)
- Satellite locations (during General elections only)
Election Day: Find your polling place.
What is Needed to Vote
Virginia law requires you to show one acceptable Identification (PDF) to vote. Note that your DMV license may be used at any time. Virginia law permits an expired DMV license to be used for voting purposes.
Ways to Vote
- Absentee in-person or by mail: Begins 45 days prior to an election.
- Accessible: The ExpressVote is typically used as an accessible voting device.
- Assisted: A designated person to help cast your vote.
- Curbside: For use by anyone 65 years of age and older or anyone with a disability.
- In-Person: At any time during the 45 day absentee voting period or at your designated polling place on election day.
Absentee Voting
Absentee by Mail voters now may choose to receive an absentee ballot for one election or all future elections. Absentee voting begins 45 days prior to the election.
Absentee and Early Voting
Find out more information regarding absentee/early voting from the Virginia Department of Elections.
Applying to Vote Absentee by Mail
- Online
- For assistance, reference the Step-by Step Guide (PDF)
- Submit a Virginia Absentee Ballot Application Form
- Fax: 804-751-0822
- Email the Registrar
- Mail : General Registrar
P.O. Box 1690
Chesterfield, VA 23832-1690 - In Person (either by the applicant or a third party) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at:
Office of the General Registrar
9848 Lori Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Ballots will not be mailed until 45 days before each election.
Virginia Permanent Absentee Voter Single Election Change Form (PDF): This form is only for those who have selected the Permanent Absentee Option on the Virginia Absentee Ballot Application Form. Use this form to change where your ballot is sent for one election, change the political party primary ballot you receive for one election, or change the political party primary ballot you receive for all primary elections.
Request to cancel an Absentee Ballot Application (PDF): This form is if you submitted the application in error or you have changed your mind to vote by mail and want to vote in person.
For Our Military and Overseas
Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) for voting assistance for Uniformed Service members, their families and citizens residing outside the U.S.
Application Instructions
- Please be sure to answer every question and sign the application.
- Return the completed application before the application deadline (11 days preceding the election by 5 p.m.).
- After the Registrar’s Office receives the application and processes it, a ballot will be mailed to the mailing address provided on the application no more than 45 days before the election.
Voting the Vote by Mail Ballot
Upon receiving the ballot, carefully review the Instructions for Voting an Absentee Ballot (PDF).
Witness Required: According to Virginia Code § 24.2-707, a witness is required to be present when marking a vote by mail ballot and the witness is required to sign the Statement of Voter on the Ballot Envelope B.
Return the ballot to the Registrar's Office by 7 p.m. the day of the election by:
- Mail (USPS) - Track your absentee ballot online.
- Commercial Delivery Service (DHL, Federal Express, UPS)
- In-person/Ballot Dropbox (No need to wait in line to drop your ballot in the designated drop box)
- Registrar's Office (9848 Lori Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832)
- Satellite locations (General Elections only at this time)
- Your Precinct
Contact the General Registrar’s Office with any questions by calling 804-748-1471.
Accessible Voting
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) addresses improvements to voting systems and voter access. One main requirements is that every polling location in Virginia must be equipped with at least one accessible voting system.
The ExpressVote Universal Voting System is available at each polling place to assist voters with disabilities to vote in the same private and independent manner as a voter without a disability.
The ExpressVote Universal Voting System does not store votes. It uses touch-screen technology that produces a paper record which can then be taken to the DS200 Optical Scanner to scan and cast the vote.
Accessible Voting Options
- Vote absentee by mail
- Vote absentee in person
- Curbside Voting - An Officer of Election will be available at each polling place to assist voters at curbside who are 65 years of age or older, or any voter with a physical disability.
Voting Equipment
The Chesterfield Registrar’s Office uses the ES&S DS200 Optical Scanner Voting System and ExpressVote Voting System.
ES&S DS200 Optical Scanner
Voting Instructions
- Use the marking device in the voting booth to blacken the oval next to the candidate of your choice.
- Fill in the oval and stay within the lines of the oval.
- To vote for a person not on the ballot, completely fill in the oval to the left of the "Write-in" line provided. Write the name of the person in the space provided.
Note: Write-in votes are not allowed in a primary election.
Once you have marked the ballot:
- Turn the ballot face-down for privacy or place the ballot in a privacy folder (available upon request).
- Take it to the DS200 Optical Scanner.
- Insert the ballot face down into the DS200 Optical Scanner for privacy (though the scanner will read the ballot in any configuration lengthwise).
- Your vote has been cast.
ES&S Express Vote
Voting Instructions
- Insert a blank paper ballot card the voting system. This is the ballot.
- Use the touchscreen display or the movable keypad equipped with braille and printed text labels provided to make candidate selections.
- Use headphones to listen to a recorded list of instructions and candidates for each contest.
- Once selections are final, the voting system marks the ballot.
- Take the marked ballot to the DS200 Optical Scanner.
- Insert the ballot face down into the Optical Scanner for privacy.
- Your vote has been cast.
If you change your mind or make a mistake on the ballot at any time before the ballot is inserted into the DS200 Optical Scanner, please let an election official know. The ballot you do not want to cast will be spoiled and you will be issued another ballot.
Approved Early Voting Sites and Availability
Registrar's Office
In-person voting at the Registrar's Office (9848 Lori Road, Chesterfield, VA 23235).
Select Library Satellite Sites
Select library satellite sites open during general elections only. Locations:
- Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Drive, Midlothian, VA 23112
- Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield, VA 23803
- LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23236
- Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Boulevard, North Chesterfield, VA 23234
- North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23236
Curbside Voting
Curbside voting for those with a disability or age 65 and older is available during early voting § 24.2-649.1.
-
Registrar
Physical Address
9848 Lori Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Mailing Address
Chesterfield County General Registrar
P.O. Box 1690
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone : 804-748-1471Fax : 804-751-0822