Super Tuesday primer: What you need at the polls to vote, more

The Democratic and Republican Parties are both holding a Presidential Primary election on March 1, 2016.  Virginia does not register voters by political party.  As such, voters must indicate the primary in which they wish to participate in order to be issued the correct ballot by election officials.

Registered Virginia voters may cast their ballot between 6:00am and 7:00pm.  Voters who are in line by 7:00pmwill be permitted to vote.  Voters may find information such as their polling place and sample ballot atelections.virginia.gov.  Voters may also call (800) 552-9745 and select option 1 for additional information.  “The Department of Elections is pleased to make these resources available to make voting easier for Virginians,” said Commissioner of Elections Edgardo Cortés.

All voters are required to show an acceptable form of photo identification.  Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

• any photo ID issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia such as a valid driver’s license or any photo ID issued by one of Virginia’s local governments;
• any photo ID issued by the United States government such as a valid passport;
• an employer-issued photo ID; and
• a student photo ID issued by a school, college, or university located in Virginia

Voters who do not have an acceptable photo ID are eligible for a free Virginia Voter Photo ID Card. Voters may apply for an ID card anytime throughout the year, including on Election Day.  Free voter photo ID cards are available at all local voter registration offices.  You may find your local registrar’s contact information at elections.virginia.gov.

Election officers are required to issue a provisional ballot to voters who do not have a valid photo ID.  Voters who choose to cast a provisional ballot will have until noon on Friday, March 4^th to submit an acceptable photo ID to their local voter registration office or to apply for a free Virginia Voter Photo ID card.

Virginia voters can get more information about this election by visiting the Department of Elections’ website atelections.virginia.gov or by calling the Department’s toll free number at (800) 552-9745.