Your Guide to Voting
Am I Eligible to Vote in Henrico?
You must be a resident of Henrico County and registered to vote.- To be registered, you must be at least 18 years old and a US citizen. If you ever been convicted of a felony or have had your civil rights removed for mental incapacity, you must have had your civil rights restored and all disabilities removed.
- The deadline to register is 29 days before the election.
- Once your name is added to the voter list,you will receive a voter card which tells you where to vote.
- If you do not complete the voter registration application or if you are not qualified to be a registered voter, you will receive a denial letter.
- If you do not receive a voter card or a denial letter, call the Voter Registration and Elections Office and ask about the status of your application.
- Once registered, voters are not required to re-register prior to each election, but voters are required to notify the Voter Registration and Elections Office of any change in name or address with a signed statement or new voter registration application.
How do I know if I'm registered to vote in Henrico?
Check your voter card and make sure your address is current. If you can't find your card, call the Voter Registration and Elections Office and ask if you're registered, where you need to vote, and request that a new card be sent to you.- If you are not a registered voter in Henrico, you must register to vote or transfer your voter registration from another Virginia locality by mail or in person at least 29 days before an election. You may register or obtain a Virginia Voter Registration Application at all voter registration offices and DMV offices throughout Virginia. You may also download the application from the State Board of Elections web site at " http://www.sbe.state.va.us".
- Your voting precinct is determined by your address; you may not vote at any other precinct.
You may request a sample ballot by contacting the Henrico Voter Registration and Elections Office. The office staff does not provide information about candidates or their platforms. However, you can request Information or explanations about constitutional amendments or local referenda.
If I'm not comfortable using the voting equipment,can I get help?
Individuals or groups may visit the Voter Registration and Elections Office at 4301 E. Parham Road, or the office at 3820 Nine Mile Road, prior to Election Day for voting demonstrations. In addition, election officers will provide voting demonstration's at the polls on Election Day.
Do I need to vote an absentee ballot before Election Day?
Voter who will be confined or away from the area may apply to vote an absentee ballot. Application for absentee ballots may be obtained from the Voter Registration and Elections Office or the State Board of Elections web site at http://www.sbe.state.va.us .
You may either apply and vote in person at one of the Voter Registration and Elections Offices, or apply to receive and vote a ballot by mail. Absentee voting begins 45 days before a general election, and 30 days before a primary election. The deadline to vote in person is 5 p.m. on the Saturday preceding the election. The deadline to request an application by mail is 5 p.m. on Thursdays preceding the election.
How do I check-in at the polls on Election Day?
Please ask for a demonstration on how to use the equipment. The first officer inside the precinct is prepared to refresh your memory or instruct you about the equipment you will be using. Prepare to show an ID to the officer who is marking the registered voter's list. Acceptable forms of identification are: Virginia Voter Card or a valid Virginia driver's license, any ID issued by a federal, state, or local government agency, and any valid employee photo ID. If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you may still vote after you sign an affirmation statement. The election officer is also required by the Code of Virginia to ask that you state your name and address. If the name or residence you provide the election officer does not match the information on the registered voter's list, or if there is a preprinted inquiry code located by your name, you will be asked to complete a form updating or confirming the information.
How to Vote with WINVOTE Touch Screen Ballot Station?
- The ballot officer will direct you to a voting booth called WINVOTE. Before you enter the booth, the election official should check for any materials that may have been left by the previous voter.
- Read the ballot title and instructions on the touch screen. Touch the "TOUCH HERE TO START" button on the screen when ready to begin voting.
- To make your selection, touch the name of the candidate. A red "X" will appear and the box will be highlighted in red.
- To change or cancel your selection, touch the box again. Touch the "NEXT" button to advance to the page of the ballot or the "BACK" button to got back to the previous page.
- Review the summary page. Review your choices and make changes if desired by touching the office title to return to it and make a change to your selection.
- Touch "NEXT" if you are satisfied with your selections.
- Cast your vote by touching the "VOTE" button.
- Wait to see the Thank You message. "Thank you for voting; Your ballot has been cast."
Each time a voter casts his or her ballot by touching the VOTE "button" at the end of the ballot, the image of that ballot is stored independently and in triplicate. Also, the selections are accumulated to a vote tally that is printed when the polls close.
Election officials are available to assist and instruct voters. Please do not hesitate to ask questions at any time during the process.