Can I register to vote in Virginia?

Yes, if you are a U.S. Citizen, your home is in Virginia, and you are 18 or older. If you will be 18 by the next general election, you can register when you are 17. If you have been convicted of a felony, or if you have been declared mentally incapacitated by a circuit court, you must first have your voting rights restored.

When can I register?

You can register at any time. However, voter registration for general and primary elections closes at the normal close of business on the 22nd day preceding the election and remains closed until the day following the election. For any special election that has been called by the governor, speaker of the House of Delegates, president pro tempore of the Senate, or by either house of the General Assembly, registration must be closed for Election Day and the six days preceding it. For any other special election, registration must be closed for Election Day and the 13 days preceding it. Please contact the Voter Registrar's Office for clarification, if necessary.

Where can I register?

You can register:

1. In person at the Voter Registrar's office in City Hall (300 E. Washington St.).

• Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

2. At the Department of Motor Vehicles

The application for a new or renewal of a driver's license includes the application to register to vote. Complete the form, and the DMV will forward it to the Virginia Department of Elections.

Can I register by mail?

Yes, the voter registration application is available at most public libraries and information centers. Call or email the Lexington voter registrar for information on where applications are available or to have an application mailed to you.

You may also download the Virginia Voter Registration Application.

What information do I need to register?

You must give under oath your full legal name and current home address, your birth date, your social security number, and the address where you were last registered to vote, if any.

Do I have to state my political party preference?

No, Virginia does not register voters by political party.

Do I have to register for each election?

No, your registration remains valid unless you change your address.

What should I do if I change my name or address after I register?

If you have move within Virginia or change your name, you must notify the Lexington voter registrar in writing of your new address or name. You may mail your voter card with change of information to the voter registrar. Or, you may complete a new voter registration application at the Office of Voter Registration or at the Department of Motor Vehicles. 

Once the updated information is received by the Voter Registration Office, you will be mailed a new voter registration card with the new poll location information.

If you move outside of Virginia, you are no longer eligible to vote in Virginia, and you must register to vote in your new state. Please contact the Voter Registration Office so the mandated forms can be sent to you authorizing your removal from the Virginia voter records.

Can I transfer my registration from another state to Virginia?

No, you must register to vote in Virginia, and the registrar will cancel your previous registration.