Voting & Beyond

Returning a mailed ballot by mail

Follow all instructions that you receive with your ballot, including the requirements to place your ballot in the provided secrecy envelope.

Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your registrar by noon on the third day after the election. 

Returning a mailed ballot in person

You may complete your and drop it off at any drop-off location in your county or city. There is a drop-off location at your local registrar's office, at every voter satellite office in your county or city, and on Election Day at each polling place. Your county or city may also offer additional locations where you can drop-off your ballot. If you drop off your absentee ballot, it MUST be returned in the sealed envelopes that are provided. Check here to find a site: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/early-voting-office-locations/ 

Changed your mind? 

You may bring your ballot (preferably unopened) to any early-voting site or your election day polling place to exchange your mail-in ballot for an in-person ballot. If you have lost your ballot, you may vote in person with a provisional ballot (that will be counted once it is confirmed that your mail-in ballot was not received).

You can vote early at your local registrar’s office.. Before visiting your local registrar’s office, you may wish to check your registration status or call your registrar’s office. You can find your registrar’s phone number here. 

• You do not have to have a reason or fill out an application to vote early.
• At the registrar’s office or satellite voting location, you must provide your name and address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. 
• Accessible equipment and/or curbside voting is available upon request.

Check here to see Upcoming Elections!

• Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
• If you are in line to vote by 7:00 p.m. you are entitled to cast a ballot.
• You need to produce identification or sign an affirmation of your identity in order to cast a regular ballot. Mason ID is adequate identification. 

District of Columbia 

• BY MAIL: All registered voters will be mailed an absentee ballot.  If your address has changed or you are at a different address: https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Casting-Your-Vote/Mail-In-Ballot-Instructions/
  • Ballots must be POSTMARKED by election day and RECEIVED by 7 days after the election
  • Ballots may be delivered to a voting center or a drop off location by Election Day.  Locations https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Where-to-Vote/Mail-Ballot-Drop-Boxes/
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON VOTING https://www.dcboe.org/FAQS/Voter-Registration/
• ELECTION DAY IN PERSON: You may vote at any voting center in DC https://www.dcboe.org/Voters/Where-to-Vote/Election-Day-Vote-Locations/

Maryland

• BY MAIL: Request your mail-in ballot here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1
  • Ballot must be RECEIVED by election day.
  • To drop ballots off by hand, go to one of the ballot drop-off locations listed under "How do I return my ballot?":  https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html
• EARLY IN PERSON: https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/early_voting.html
  • During early voting, you can vote at any early voting center in the jurisdiction where you live.
• ELECTION DAY IN PERSON: https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/election_day_questions.html
  • On election day, you can vote at any election day voting center (PDF) (Excel) in the jurisdiction you live.