Accessible Voting in Virginia
For the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 General election in Virginia
- In Virginia there is a new rule expanding the types of disabilities eligible for voting outside polling places. Check with your local election office to learn more.
- In Virginia, there may be changes to the number or location of secure ballot drop boxes.
Voting Information
Visit your state Accessible Voting page
Phone: (804) 864-8901
Contact your local election office for polling places and other information.
Read the REV UP voting guide for your state
Register to vote
- Voter registration in Virginia
- Deadlines and information in 18 languages at vote.gov
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
Organizations that can help If you can't find the information you need at your state or local election office.
- Contact your local Center for Independent Living
- Contact your state National Disability Rights Network office.
- Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting
Other websites for voting information
- REV UP Voting Guides for voting info and plain language definitions
- VoteRiders for Voter ID requirements
- Vote.gov for information about registering to vote
- Vote411.org for what’s on your ballot
Voting features in Virginia for voters with disabilities
- Sign up to automatically receive a ballot by mail for all elections
- Voters with print disabilities can use an accessible vote-by-mail system.
Self-advocacy! Ask your local election office about:
- Information in large print, audio, or Braille versions
- Curbside or drive-up voting.
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program
- How to practice using the accessible voting system
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill
- How to get assistance voting
- Other services for voters with disabilities
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
September 24 through November 5, early voting is available at your local registrar's office or a satellite voting location.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- All voters are asked to show identification.
Learn what ID you can use at VoteRiders
- You can drop off your ballot at all early voting locations for your jurisdiction.
Find an early voting center near you.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Polling places are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- All voters are asked to show identification.
Find your polling place.
Learn what ID you can use at VoteRiders.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in Virginia are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
AutoMARK
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on the front of the device.
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using an AutoMARK
- Short video from Wisconsin Elections (YouTube 3:55)
- Video from NY City Board of Elections (YouTube 13:47)
Dominion ImageCast Evolution
A ballot marking device attached to a ballot scanner.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The ballot is printed internally and cast on the same device.
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
ES&S ExpressVote
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The printed ballot is a list of selections printed on a narrow card.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using ExpressVote
- Short video tutorial from Pennsylvania (YouTube 1:53)
- Video from Michigan (You Tube 12:29)
- Information about ExpressVote from Pennsylvania
Hart InterCivic Verity Touch Writer
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls using the Hart “move wheel.”
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
The ballot is cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 2:29)
- Longer instructional video from Michigan (YouTube 11:36)
- Information about Verity Touch Writer from Pennsylvania
- Verity Touch Writer product page from Hart InterCivic
Unisyn OpenElect Voting Interface (OVI and OVI-VC)
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The ballot is printed on a small strip of paper using a built-in printer.
The OVI-VC is used in early voting centers.
Learn more about using the OVI
- Short video tutorial from Unisyn (Vimeo 3:03 - no captions)
- OpenElect OVI product page from Unisyn
|
Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Postmarked by Election Day, November 5 and received by noon on November 8 for mailed ballots.
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 5 for hand delivered ballots.
How to get your ballot
- All voters can request a ballot.
- Voters can sign up to receive a ballot for all future elections.
To get your ballot you can:
- Request a ballot online.
- Download, print, and mail a request form.
- Return the request form by email or fax.
- You must provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At a secure drop box
At any ballot drop-off location
Find a ballot drop-off location near you at your local elections website.
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
If you mail your ballot, make sure it is postmarked by Election Day.
Postage is pre-paid so you don't need a stamp.
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
Have a witness sign the form on the envelope.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
- Ask your local elections office who can return your ballot for you.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
There is a statewide accessible vote by mail program in Virginia called Accessible Absentee Voting
- You can use accessible vote by mail if you have a disability that prevents you from marking a paper ballot.
To use accessible absentee voting in Virginia you can:
Your ballot will be delivered by email and can be marked using screen reader assistive technology.
Carefully review the instructions to complete and return your ballot to your local registrar by 7:00 pm on Election Day.
If you have questions about using the ballot-marking tool, please contact the ADA Ombudsman, call 1-800-552-9745 or TTY 711.
Contact your local election office for more information.
Deadline to return your ballot:
Postmarked by Election Day, November 5 and received by noon on November 8 for mailed ballots.
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 5 for hand delivered ballots.
Returning a printed ballot
To return a printed ballot:
- Print the marked ballot and check it to be sure it is marked correctly
- Follow the instructions to complete any forms that must be returned with the ballot.
- Sign the voter’s signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
You can return your ballot:
- By mail
- At any ballot drop-off location
The systems in use in Virginia for accessible voting by mail are:
Enhanced Voting Enhanced Ballot
Accessible system for voting by mail.
Electronic ballot delivery to mark and print.
Claims WCAG 2.0 Level AA and Section 508 compliance.
Learn more about using Enhanced Ballot
Learn more about accessible voting options in Virginia