Vote by Mail

View your voter information to make sure it is correct.

If you are not registered to vote, apply on the Citizen's Portal.

Important: This application process is only for voting by mail and is not used for voting early in person.

Online Application

1. Apply for your vote-by-mail ballot
    
2. You will need:
   • Social Security Number
   • Virginia Driver's License or a Virgnia DMV-issued ID number

Paper Application

1. Download, print, and complete--including your handwritten signature--a vote-by-mail application
   • En Español
   • Tiếng Việt
   • 한 국어

   -- OR --

2. Pick up a preprinted paper application at:
   • Fairfax County governmental centers
   • Fairfax County library branches

Submit your completed paper application using one of these methods:

• Scan, then email: AbsenteeBallot@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Mail: Fairfax County Office of Elections P.O. Box 10161, Fairfax, VA 22038
• Fax: 703-324-3725
• Hand deliver: Fairfax County Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035

Deadline

• Applications must be received in the Office of Elections 11 days before the election

When To Expect Your Ballot

• Ballots are mailed to voters beginning 45 days before the election
• After the mailing period begins, ballots are mailed within three business days of applications being approved
• Once a ballot is mailed, its delivery time is dependent on the U.S. Postal Service

1. Use a ballpoint pen with black or blue ink
2. Completely fill in the ovals to the left of the candidate of your choice, and, if issues (bond issue, constitutional amendment) are on the ballot, how you wish to vote.
   • Do not use a check mark or an X!
   • You do not need to vote in every contest or for every issue
      
3. If you make a mistake, email AbsenteeVoting@fairfaxcounty.gov, typing "Reissue" in the subject line
    
4. Follow the instructions enclosed with your ballot materials
   • Complete the Statement of Voter on Envelope B
   • Sign Envelope B. Witness signature is NOT required for this election
   • Have the Request for Assistance form completed (if needed)
   • Place ballot in Envelope B and seal
   • Place Envelope B and assistance form (if needed) in return mailer
   • Even if you use a drop box to return your ballot, place Envelope B in the mailer
     
      
5. Detailed Instructions

   While instructions for returning your vote-by-mail are provided with your ballot, read these longer instructions if you want more details:

Detailed Vote-by-Mail Instructions (updated links for instructions coming soon)

• Instrucciones para votar por correo
• 우편 투표 지침
• Hướng Dẫn Bỏ Phiếu Qua Thư
   
• Detailed Vote-by-Mail Instructions (UOCAVA)
• Instrucciones para votar por correo (UOCAVA)
• 우편 투표 지침 (UOCAVA)
• Hướng Dẫn Bỏ Phiếu Qua Thư (UOCAVA)

1. By Mail or commercial delivery service (FedEx, UPS)
   
   Your ballot envelope must be:
   • Postmarked (or dated by delivery service) before 7 p.m. on Election Day and
   • Received in the Fairfax County Office of Elections by 12 noon the following Friday
      
     Allow plenty of time for your ballot to reach our office
     
      
2. Drop Boxes before Election Day
    
   • Voted ballots may be dropped off...
     • At the Fairfax County Office of Elections, Suite 323, in the Fairfax County Government Center
     • Outside of the Government Center at an attended drop box during business hours.  An accessible, secure drop box is installed outside the building permitting voters to drop off their ballots 24/7.
   • Voted ballots may also be dropped off at any early voting site during hours of operation.
     
     
      
     If you decide to vote in person, either early or on election day, bring the ballot you received in the mail with you! You will exchange that ballot for a ballot to vote immediately.

Check the status of your vote-by-mail application and/or your completed ballot by viewing the voting history section of your Virginia voter record.

Need More Information About Voting by Mail?

• Virginia Department of Elections
   
• Call the Fairfax County Office of Elections at 703-222-0776 (TTY 711)