In recognition of National Voter Registration Day, Attorney General Mark Herring encourages eligible Virginians to register to vote and encourages all Virginians to confirm their registration and prepare any documentation needed to comply with Virginia’s new photo ID requirements. Elections held on November 4, 2014 will be the first time many Virginians are required to present a photo ID to cast their ballot in state, local, and federal elections.
“On National Voter Registration Day, I encourage all Virginians to take a moment to get registered, or confirm their registration, to ensure they can cast their ballot and have their voice heard on Election Day,” said Attorney General Herring. “Every Virginian should make a plan now to exercise their right and their duty to vote, and should ensure they are eligible and prepared to do so.”
In order to participate in the November 4 election, voters must be registered by Tuesday, October 14, 2014. Eligible voters can register online or receive a voter registration application at numerous government facilities including:
- Department of Motor Vehicles offices
- Local voter registration office
- State Board of Elections office
- Public libraries
- Voter Registration Drives
- Armed forces recruitment offices
- State or local government offices when applying or re-certifying for Aid to Dependent Children, Food Stamps, WIC, Medicaid, or Rehabilitation Services
Government offices in the State that provide State-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to person with disabilities
Registered voters can confirm their registration and information online at www.vote.virginia.gov/search. Voters will also be required to present one of several acceptable photo IDs in order to cast their ballot. Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Valid Virginia Driver’s License
- Valid Employee photo identification
- Valid United States Passport
- dmv issued photo identification card
- Valid college or university student photo identification card issued by an institution of higher education located in Virginia
- Government issued photo identification
“Valid” for purposes of the photo ID requirement means the document appears to be genuinely issued by the agency or issuing entity appearing upon the document, the bearer of the document reasonably appears to be the person whose photograph is contained thereon, and the document shall be current or have expired within the preceding twelve months.
Any registered voter who does not possess one of the above mentioned forms of photo ID may apply for a free Virginia Voter Photo Identification from any general registrar’s office in the Commonwealth. Voters applying for the Virginia Voter Photo ID Card will have to complete the Virginia Voter Photo Identification Card Application, have their picture taken, and sign the digital signature pad. Once the application is processed, the card will be mailed directly to the voter.
A voter who arrives at the polling place without an acceptable form of photo identification and is unable to obtain a temporary voter photo ID will be given the opportunity to vote via provisional ballot. After completing the provisional ballot, the individual voting will be given written instructions from the election officials on how to submit a copy of his or her identification so that his or her vote can be counted. A voter will have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of the identification to the local electoral board.
Any voters who have questions about their registration status or photo ID requirements should contact their local registrar as soon as possible.
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