Guide to Election Day 2025: What You Need to Know

 

Where and When to Vote

Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re in line by 7 p.m., you’ll still be able to vote.

On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. If you’ve moved and need to update your registration, you can complete same-day registration and cast a provisional ballot at the precinct where you now live.

 

What’s on the Ballot

Here’s what you’ll see when you vote:

• Governor (4-year term)
• Lieutenant Governor (4-year term)
• Attorney General (4-year term)
• Virginia House of Delegates (2-year term; districts vary)
• Fairfax County Bond Referendum – Public School Bonds: A proposal to authorize up to $460 million for school improvements, renovations, and equipment.
• Clifton and Vienna Mayors and Town Councils (2-year term); only town residents are eligible to vote.

 

 

Check Registration and Polling Place Before You Go

Before you head to the polls, confirm your registration and polling place. Your voter information card lists your polling place, or you can check online through Virginia’s Citizen Portal.

 

If you have questions, call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711.

 

What to Bring

You’ll need to show identification when you vote. Acceptable IDs include:

• A Virginia driver’s license or ID card, even if expired
• A U.S. passport
• A government-issued ID
• A Virginia college or university student ID
• A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document with your name and current address

A list of acceptable IDs is available from the Department of Elections.

If you don’t have an acceptable ID, you may sign an ID confirmation statement.

 

Same-Day Registration

If you’re not registered, you can register and vote on Election Day at the polling place for the precinct where you live. You’ll cast a provisional ballot, which will be reviewed after the election once your eligibility is confirmed.

 

Curbside and Accessible Voting

Voters who are 65 or older, or who have a disability, illness, or injury that prevents them from entering the polling place, can vote curbside.

Look for the “Curbside Voting” sign near the accessible parking area and call the number on the sign when you arrive.

Accessible voting equipment provides audio and text instructions and ballots for those with disabilities and in multiple languages. Additionally, voters may bring an assistant to help them vote after completing a short form provided by an election officer.

 

Returning a Mail Ballot

You can return your mail ballot several ways:

• Place it in a drop box at any polling place on Election Day.
• Use the 24-hour secure drop box outside the Fairfax County Government Center until 7 p.m. on Nov. 4.
• Mail it so it’s postmarked no later than Nov. 4 and received by noon Friday, Nov. 7.

Make sure to include the last four digits of your Social Security number and your birth year in the Required Information section on the return envelope. That information is hidden under the flap after you seal the envelope. Don’t forget to sign the envelope, too.

 

 

How Your Vote Is Protected

Fairfax County uses strong security measures to ensure every vote is accurately recorded and counted. These include secure ballot handling, pre-election testing of voting machines, prevention of double voting, and post-election canvasses and audits.

Learn more about election security.

 

Questions?

Contact the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/elections for details and updates.