Election Day for our 2026 midterms, and local races in Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro, among other localities in Virginia, is Tuesday, Nov. 3, but early voting begins this coming Friday, Sept. 18.
In addition to the local elections, we’ll have elections for the two congressional seats representing our area – the Fifth District, which covers Charlottesville and Albemarle County, and Nelson County, east of the Blue Ridge; and the Sixth District, which covers Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, and our home base: Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro.
Ways to vote
To vote early in-person, registered voters should go to their locality’s designated early voting location for the jurisdiction in which they are registered, present an acceptable ID and cast their ballot.
A list of acceptable forms of identification can be found online. (Do I need an ID to vote?)
Early voting locations, dates, and hours vary by locality, and some jurisdictions offer multiple early voting locations. Voters should confirm location details and operating hours set by the locality, including any holiday schedules (such as Oct. 12) by contacting their general registrar’s office.
The information can also be found on the Department of Elections website. (Early Voting Office Locations)
New for 2026: early voting will take place in all localities on the second and third Sundays before Election Day, in addition to the two Saturdays already available.
The weekend early voting days are:
- Sunday, Oct. 18
- Saturday, Oct. 24
- Sunday, Oct. 25
- Saturday, Oct. 31
Curbside voting is also available for those with disabilities and those over 65 who wish to vote in person.
Contact information for general registrar’s offices can be found through the Department of Elections website. (Local Contact Information)
Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot either in person, by mail, online (Citizen Portal) or by contacting their general registrar’s office.
Registered voters do not need a reason to request an absentee ballot.
The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is Oct. 23.
Absentee ballots may be returned:
- In person directly to the general registrar’s office
- At designated drop-off locations during the early voting period
- At polling locations on Election Day
- By mail (must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and received by noon, Nov. 6)
To ensure a postmark, the U.S. Postal Service advises voters to take their ballot inside a post office location and request a postmark. (Election Mail)
Any ballot received after Election Day that is not postmarked will NOT be counted.
Due to routine delays in international postal delivery, voters who live outside the United States who requested a ballot by mail are advised to use a commercial delivery service such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. to return their ballot to the general registrar’s office.
Anyone choosing to mail their ballot should do so as early as possible. Voters can check the status of their mailed ballot through the Department of Elections Citizen Portal using the “Check registration status” link. (Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal)
Voters with visual or manual dexterity impairment may utilize an electronic ballot-marking tool to complete an absentee ballot. For additional assistance, voters may contact their general registrar’s office or the Department of Election at 1-800-552-9745 or email [email protected].
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Chris Graham
