Virginia’s early-voting deadline has passed. Here are the options left before Aug. 4

Virginia’s in-person absentee-voting deadline for the 2026 primary passed at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. As of Sunday, Aug. 2, voters who did not vote early still have defined options, including voting at their assigned polling place on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

There is no regular statewide early-voting or in-person absentee period on Sunday, Aug. 2, or Monday, Aug. 3. Voters who have not cast a ballot should plan to vote on Election Day and verify their polling place and ballot information through the Virginia Department of Elections or their local general registrar.

What voters can do now

The main remaining option for voters who did not vote early is to vote in person at their assigned polling place on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Polling locations, hours and other operating details vary by jurisdiction, so voters should check before leaving home.

The Department of Elections provides a statewide polling-place and ballot-information lookup. Voters also can contact their local general registrar with questions about locations, hours, identification requirements or ballot details.

Mailed absentee ballots have two important deadlines

Voters who already received a mailed absentee ballot may return it by mail, but it must be postmarked no later than Aug. 4 and received by the general registrar by noon Friday, Aug. 7. Mailing a ballot by Aug. 4 alone does not guarantee that it will be counted; both deadlines apply.

Absentee ballots also may be returned to an authorized general registrar office or designated drop box during the permitted period, or at a polling location on Election Day, subject to local instructions, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot was 5 p.m. Friday, July 24. That request deadline is separate from the Aug. 4 postmark deadline for returning a ballot already received.

Same-day registration remains available

Voters who missed the regular July 24 registration deadline may still register in person through Election Day. They must register and vote using a provisional ballot. On Election Day, same-day registration must take place at the designated polling location for the voter’s residence.

A provisional ballot is not automatically counted. The local electoral board must review and certify provisional ballots. The deadline for local electoral boards to certify them is Aug. 11.

Voters using same-day registration should allow extra time for the provisional-ballot process and contact their local registrar about current identification and registration requirements.

Why Virginia’s primary is in August

Virginia’s 2026 primary is being held Tuesday, Aug. 4, rather than on the customary June schedule. Enacted language in House Bill 29 moved the primary for offices on the Nov. 3 general-election ballot from June 16 to Aug. 4 and specified that there would be no June 16 primary for those offices.

The change applies only to the 2026 election year. It is not a permanent change to Virginia’s primary calendar, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

The Aug. 4 ballot includes primaries for U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats, along with local offices. The availability of Democratic and Republican contests varies by locality, so voters should review their individual ballot before Election Day.

What happens after voting

Local electoral boards are scheduled to certify provisional ballots by Aug. 11. The State Board of Elections is scheduled to certify the primary results on Aug. 18.

Before voting, residents should use the Department of Elections polling-place and ballot lookup tools or contact their local registrar to confirm their polling place, ballot and any local instructions for returning an absentee ballot.

Sources

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