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1. How do I vote absentee in Person?

You may come into the Voter Registrar Office during regular business hours (8 am to 4:30 pm) during the 45 days before an Election and fill out an Absentee Ballot application, and then vote in person at the office. The Voter Registrar’s Office is also open for Absentee Voting on the two Saturdays prior to the Election from 8 am to 4:30 pm. For further information, you can call our office at 757-220-6157. You may also call 757-220-6157 to have an application mailed to you.

Primary Elections

For Primary Elections, Absentee Voting is held during the 30 days prior to the Primary, and our office is open on Saturday (only on the Saturday immediately prior to the Primary).

2. How do I apply for a ballot by mail?

You may download an Absentee Ballot Application (PDF), call 757-220-6157 to have an application mailed to you, or stop by the Williamsburg Voter Registrar Office in person.

Absentee Ballot Application

You must complete an Absentee Ballot Application and mail it to the General Registrar,:
P.O. Box 3538
Williamsburg, VA 23187

You may also fax the application to us at 757-220-6157.

Be sure to complete all information on the form, including the reason you need to vote absentee, the address where you want the ballot mailed, your full name, home address, and social security number. The application must be signed by you.

3. Am I eligible to vote absentee?

You may vote absentee if you are unable to go to the polls on Election Day because you...

• Are a student or the spouse of a student outside the City of Williamsburg
• Will be away from the City of Williamsburg on business
• Will be at your workplace for 11 or more hours between 6 am and 7 pm.
• Will be away from the City of Williamsburg on personal business or vacation
• Are unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability
• Are the primary caretaker of a confined family member
• Have a religious obligation
• Are confined awaiting trial are confined having been convicted of a misdemeanor
• Are an election official
• Are on active duty in the military
• Are the spouse or dependent residing with a member of the military
• Are an overseas citizen whose most recent United States residence was in the City of Williamsburg

Important! If you are in the armed services, a citizen residing or working overseas, or a dependent of such a voter, visit the Federal Voting Assistance page for absentee voting information.

4. When will I get my ballot?

The Electoral Board begins mailing ballots 45 days before each general election. Ballots are mailed the next business day after the absentee ballot applications are received. Please apply early enough to allow time to get your ballot and return it by Election Day. Call the Voter Registrar’s Office at 757-220-6157 or email the Voter Registrar’s Office if your ballot doesn’t arrive within a reasonable time.

5. Can I check the status of my ballot?

Once the Electoral Board has received your Absentee Ballot request, you can check the status of when your ballot request was received, your ballot was mailed to you and when your voted ballot was received by visiting the Virginia Department of Elections website.

6. How is my vote counted?

All absentee ballots, both in-person or by mail are tabulated on Election Day in the Central Absentee Precinct (CAP). The City of Williamsburg uses manual paper ballots for mailed absentee ballots and the Sequoia Edge Voting Machine which is handicapped accessible for In-Person Absentee voting. Please follow the marking instructions on your ballot and return it in the envelopes provided. Be sure to fill in all the information on Envelope B, sign the oath, and have a witness sign the envelope as well.