Voting Guide

Early Voting Begins: Friday, January 6, 2023

Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot: Friday, February 10, 2023

Deadline to register to vote or update existing registration: Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Election Day: Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Can I register to vote?

You can register to vote if you are:

• 18-years or older 
• A United States citizen

Can I register with my campus address?

Yes, all UR students are conisdered Virginia residents. You can register using your school address or your home state; you cannot register in both.

When is the deadline to register to vote in Virginia?

To vote in the special election you must register by February 14 to vote using a regular ballot. You can also register through Election Day and vote using a provisional ballot.

How do I register in Virginia?

• First time voters (with Virginia driver’s license/state I.D.): Click here
• Previously registered voters: Click here
• If you don’t have a Virginia driver’s license/state I.D., then you must fill out a paper form to register.
  • Print Forms: Click here
  • Or pick one up in the CCE or Boatwright Library. Return completed forms to the voter drop boxes before 2PM on October 17th.

Students in University Forest & Gateway Village Apartments

Some students residing in the University Forest Apartments and Gateway Village Apartments are located in Henrico County (also called Richmond).

• 100-1100 blocks of UFA are located in Henrico County
• 1200-2100 blocks of UFA are located in Richmond City
• 55, 56, & 57 Gateway Village Apartments are located in Henrico County
• 58 Gateway Village Apartments are located in Richmond City

You can find a list of all on-campus residential addresses here which includes the city/county.

 Common Mistakes When Filling Out Registration Form

• Not including dorm room # or using University address: Your residential address in section 2 must be your dorm address (if registering here), not your mailbox or the University’s address. Put your mailing address in section 4 of the form.
  • You can find a list of all on-campus residential addresses here.
• Missing contact info: Fill in your email and/or phone number in section 2 so that the CCE or Registrar’s Office can contact you if there is an issue with processing your form.
• Missing mailing address: Write your mailing address (UR mailbox) in section 4 in order to receive communication from the Registrar’s Office. 
• Missing current state registration: If you are currently registered to vote in another state, write in your state in section 5 of the form.
• Incomplete form: Remember to sign and date!

How do I register in my home state?

You can check your voter registration status here.

Use StudentVote.org to register in any state.

How can I check my voter registration status?

Click here to check status.

Do I need to update my voter registration if I’ve moved dorms?

Yes! You can find a list of on-campus residential addresses here. 

In Virginia, voters will elect new U.S. House Representatives in the 2022 Election.

Students residing in Richmond City (most on-campus residents) will vote in the District 4 Congressional election between Democrat Jennifer Mcclellan and Republican Leon Benjamin.

Students residing in Henrico County (some on and off-campus residents) will not be voting in the special election.

Coming soon, Virginia voters can read candidate profiles on our student-run website URGOV.

Out-of-State Voters: You can use Vote 411’s Voter’s Guide to find out who is on your ballot.

Early In-Person Voting through November 5

You do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early. You can go vote at your local registrar’s office (see address below) from September 23 to November 5. A photo I.D. is not required to vote, however your student I.D. is an acceptable form of identification at the polls.

Where are the early voting polling places for Richmond City and Henrico County voters?

For Richmond City:
2134 West Laburnum Ave., 2nd Floor, Richmond, VA 23227

For Henrico County:
4305 E. Parham Rd. Admin Building Annex Room 105, Henrico, VA 23228

Free Uber Rides to vote early on Friday, October 28 & Saturday, October 29

Fill out this form to sign-up to receive an Uber code to one of the early voting locations.The Uber code will provide you with two rides in one day, one to the polling place and one to return to campus. 

Can I apply for an absentee ballot in Virginia?

All registered voters are eligible to vote by mail without providing a justification.

Absentee ballots should be requested as far in advance as possible to allow time for the local elections office to mail the ballot to the voter and for the voter to complete and return the ballot.

How do I apply to vote absentee in Virginia?

5pm on Friday, October 28 is the last date that the registrar’s office will receive applications for an absentee ballot via online, fax or mail.

• By Mail:
  • Download and complete the Absentee Ballot Application Form.
  • Return completed and signed form to your local registrar’s office, fax or scanned attachment.
• Online:
  • To apply online you must have a Virginia Driver’s License. You can apply to ’Vote By Mail’ at this website.
• Drop-off:
  • Pick-up and drop-off your completed application to one of the CCE’s voter registration boxes by Friday, October 28 at 2PM. We will deliver your application to the Registrar’s Office by the 5PM deadline.

How do I submit my absentee ballot?

Fill in your ballot and return to your local registrar though these methods:

• Mail your ballot at the post office. Check the campus Post Office hours here. It must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your registrar by noon on the third day after the election (Friday, November 11).
• Return your ballot to your local registrar by 7:00 PM on Election Day, November 8, 2022.

Where is the Registrar’s Office?

• For Richmond City:
  • 2134 West Laburnum Ave., 2nd Floor, Richmond, VA 23227
• For Henrico County:
  • Nearest to Campus: 4305 E. Parham Rd. Admin Building Annex Room 105, Henrico, VA 23228
  • Further from Campus: 3820 Nine Mile Rd. Room 100, Henrico, VA 23223

Out-of-State Absentee Applicaiton Deadlines

Use this website to check the important election deadlines in your home state.

Young adults make up a key demographic of those who vote in an election. Studying abroad should not take away your ability to vote, so here are some steps you can take to make sure that your voice is heard this election cycle.

1. U.S. citizens living outside of the U.S., can register to vote and request an absentee ballot by completing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). But first you will want to check your state’s guidance on overseas absentee ballots. You can learn more at this website. Scroll down to the section titled "Looking for something specific? Select your state".
2. If you are voting as a Virginia resident, use your last Virginia residence as your voting residence. If you lived on campus, you can find a list of dorm addresses here. You can use the Federal Post Card Application to vote absentee.
3. Use this tool to find out who is on your ballot.

Where do I vote on Election Day?

• Dorm residents: Jepson Alumni Center at 442 Westhampton Way
• 1200-2100 UFA: Jepson Alumni Center at 442 Westhampton Way
• 58 Gateway Village Apartments: Jepson Alumni Center at 442 Westhampton Way
• 100-1100 UFA: Tuckahoe Elementary School at 701 Forest Ave.
• 55, 56, & 57 Gateway Village Apartments: Tuckahoe Elementary School at 701 forest Ave.

You can check your polling place by clicking here.

What are the polling place hours?

Polling places open at 6 a.m. on Election Day. All voters in line by 7 p.m. are allowed to vote.

Do I need to show my identification to vote?

In Virginia, in-person voters do not need to show identification in order to vote.

Shuttle to Tuckahoe Elementary Polling Place

If your polling place is Tuckahoe Elementary, fill out this form to receive an Uber code for Election Day. The Uber code will provide you with two rides on November 8, one to get to Tuckahoe Elementary and one to return to campus. This is the polling place for all on-campus residents who live within the Henrico side of campus.

If you do not register by the October 17 deadline, you can still register through Election Day but you will need to use a provisional ballot to vote.

Provisional ballots are counted separately from regularly cast ballots. The local electoral board will meet after Election Day to review each provisional ballot to determine if the voter is eligible to have their ballot counted.

If you are voting with a provisional ballot, you can show up on Election Day at your local polling place to request your provisional ballot. You can also vote early by showing up at the local Registrar (see tab about voting early). 

In Virginia, a new law was passed that repeals the requirement for a photo I.D. to vote.

A Student ID may be used to vote!

A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification is required to sign a statement that they are the named registered voter they claim to be in order to be permitted to cast a ballot.

Do I qualify for an emergency absentee ballot?

If you were unable to meet the "vote by mail" application deadline for any of the following reasons:

1. Your hospitalization or illness;
2. The hospitalization, illness, or death of a spouse, child, or parent; or
3. Other emergency found to justify receipt of an emergency absentee ballot

Requirements for emergency absentee voting:

1. You may request to vote emergency absentee at any time prior to 2:00 pm on the day preceding the election
2. If you are approved for an emergency ballot, your general registrar shall provide the absentee ballot to your designated representative for delivery to you
3. You shall mark the ballot in the presence of your designated representative 
4. The ballot shall be counted only if the ballot is received by the general registrar prior to the close of polls

Determine eligibility and download application on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

• Campus Elect - Includes candidate and issue guides, voter education resources, a fellowship program, and more.
• All In Challenge - Resources for student voter engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual engagement.
• Campus Vote Project - Contains guides about voter registration drives, engagement activties for students, developing student engagement plans, state specific guides, etc.
• Every Vote Counts - A student-led, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing voter turnout and expanding voter access nationwide.
• Fair Elections Legal Network - Contains information and resources on removing barriers to registration and voting.
• Sample Ballot Lookup (Ballotopedia) - View the elections you will be voting in with this sample ballot lookup tool.
• Virginia State Board of Elections
• Vote.org - Countdown to the election, polling place locator, check registration, register, vote by mail, COVID-19 election info.
• Vote Remote - How to vote as a college student.
• TurboVote - Sign up for election reminders, get help with voter registration and voting by mail.
• Issue Voter - Allows people to choose the issues they care about and sends you information about those issues. Makes it easier for you to contact your representatives.
• Be A Voter - Voter checklist, guide to voting.
• Nonprofit Vote - Voting information by state.
• How to Vote - Election resources by state.