ABSENTEE VOTING BY MAIL

 

HOW IT WORKS

 

To have an absentee ballot mailed to you, you must request one by submitting an absentee ballot application. To request an absentee mail ballot, you can:

If your application to request an absentee mail ballot is approved before the Early Voting period begins:

  • Your absentee ballot will be mailed no later than 45 days prior to the election (the same day that Early Voting starts).

Any applications for an absentee mail ballot received after the start of Early Voting and before the deadline to request an absentee mail ballot will be processed upon receipt.

  • If approved during this timeframe, a ballot will be mailed to you within 3 business days.
  • Statewide in Virginia, absentee ballot applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day preceding the election.
  • Unsure if you have an absentee ballot application on file already?

If you receive an absentee ballot but change your mind and wish to vote in person instead, you still can. If possible, we strongly encourage you to bring your absentee ballot when you come to vote in person.

 

 

PERMANENT ABSENTEE BALLOT LIST

 

On your absentee ballot application, you may request to be added to the permanent absentee ballot list. This means you will automatically be mailed an absentee ballot for all future elections without having to apply again.

  • If you would like to be on the permanent list and participate in primary elections, please select a political party on your application. This will ensure that you receive the corresponding party's primary ballot in the future.
  • If you do not wish to participate in primary elections, you may opt out of receiving primary ballots using the same application. Opting out means a ballot will only be mailed for General and Special Elections.
  • You may not select both parties on the application. However, you may update your selection later by submitting a new application or a Permanent Absentee Voter Change Form. You may change your political party primary selection for one election or change your political party primary selection for all elections by submitting this form.
  • SELECTION OF A POLITICAL PARTY ON THIS APPLICATION DOES NOT IMPACT YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION. There is no voter registration-by-party in Virginia.

If you are on the permanent absentee mailing list and...

  • Have moved since you applied: Be sure to update your voter registration record as this will impact where your absentee ballot is mailed. *
    • *If you would like to be mailed an absentee ballot permanently, your voter registration mailing address MUST match your absentee ballot mailing address.
  • Need your ballot mailed to a different address for one election only: You can fill out a Permanent Absentee Voter Change Form. *
    • *Note: If an absentee ballot has already been mailed to your permanent absentee ballot mailing address, please contact our office for further guidance.
  • Wish to change your political party primary selection (for one election or for all future elections): You can fill out a Permanent Absentee Voter Change Form.
  • Would like to be removed: You may submit a Request to Remove Name from Permanent Absentee Voter List Form or a Permanent Absentee Voter Change Form to your local Voter Registration Office.

Absentee ballots are mailed to voters no later than 45 days prior to the election (the same day that Early Voting starts) provided that an approved request is already on file at our office before this date.

 

 

VOTING YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT
 

Once you have received your absentee ballot in the mail...

  • Carefully review the instructions included for completing and returning your ballot.
  • Fill out ALL required information on your Envelope B and seal your voted ballot inside.
  • Place your completed, sealed Envelope B inside the return envelope provided.
  • Return your ballot using one of the following methods:
    • By mail: Use any mail service to return your ballot.
      • The return envelope provided is pre-addressed to our office and the postage is already added.
      • All voted absentee ballots received by mail must be postmarked on or by Election Day AND received no later than 12:00 p.m. on the third day after Election Day.
    • In person: Use an official absentee ballot drop box.
      • Before Election Day, there is only one absentee ballot drop box available in Culpeper County. It is located in our office's lobby and can be accessed during business hours only.
      • On Election Day, you may go to your polling place to drop off your absentee ballot between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
      • All absentee ballots delivered in person must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

You can track the status of your absentee ballot online. If you would like to know if a mail absentee ballot has been mailed to you or to verify that our office has received your voted absentee ballot, check out Virginia's Absentee Ballot Tracking System for further information.

 

 

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS

 

Using a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) may be a more suitable option for you.

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