Beyond the Ballot: Addressing Voter Misconceptions

Voting in Virginia is covered by important laws designed to protect the integrity of every ballot. Whether you’re a college student, voting early or registering on Election Day, understanding these guidelines can make it easier to ensure your ballot is counted securely and without delay. 

Once your ballot is cast, you cannot change your vote. 

The process for casting a ballot in the Commonwealth of Virginia is described in Virginia Administrative Code 1VAC-20-60-40. 

Simply put, a voter has not voted “until a permanent record of the voter’s intent is preserved.” This happens in Virginia Beach when a voter places their completed ballot into the tabulation equipment, hands it to an election official or returns it to the ballot drop box in the parking lot. Once any of those actions happen, the vote is cast. 

However, if a voter completes their ballot and notices a mistake before placing it into the tabulation equipment, they must write “spoiled” on the ballot and take it back to an election official and request a new one. The official will take the spoiled ballot, which will be securely destroyed and not counted.  

If you make a mistake, do not place the ballot into the electronic counting machine or it will be counted and you will not be able to request a new ballot. 

Same-day voter registration is legal in Virginia. 

Same-day registrations will vote with a provisional ballot, which is not counted by the electronic counting machine at the time of voting. The Electoral Board will meet following an election to approve same-day registrations and ballots. 

Voters are entitled to attend this meeting, but they are not required to for their vote to be counted. If your ballot is not counted, you will receive a notice from the General Registrar’s office. Otherwise, your ballot will be counted. 

The General Assembly approved legislation that allows Virginians to register to vote at any time, up to and including Election Day beginning with the 2022 General Election. 

Voters can same-day register at the General Registrar’s Office at 500 Studio Drive or any satellite early voting location outside of the normal registration window. On Election Day, voters should go to the polling place for the precinct in which they reside.  

If you are not a registered voter and are unsure of your precinct’s polling place, please call the Registrar’s Office at 757-385-8683. 

College students can register to vote in Virginia. 

Students attending college in Virginia, including out-of-state students, can register to vote in the city or county in which they reside. A person can only have residency in one place at a time, so registering for and voting in multiple elections isn’t just impossible – it’s illegal! There is no time limit on residency. Just remember to update your registration if you move. 

Dorms or college addresses are acceptable residential addresses and will not disqualify a college student from voting. If the Voter Registrar’s Office can’t determine your physical address on your voter registration application, you will be contacted for additional information. 

If you’re in line after polls close, you can still vote. 

Individuals voting in person on Election Day and in line when polls close at 7 p.m. should remain in line to cast their ballot. 

Poll workers will ensure that anyone in line by the 7 p.m. closing will have their information verified, be checked in and issued a ballot when they reach the voting booth. 

For more information about registering to vote, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website, or call the Voter Registrar’s Office at 757-385-8683. 

• Voting Information