Vote at Home


Effective July 1, 2020, all registered voters in Virginia are eligible to request, receive, mark and return their ballot all from the comfort of their own home. Not only is it easy, but it’s safe and secure too.  Please read this entire page and then apply for your vote at home ballot via the link at the bottom of the page.

Please note that if you request that a ballot be mailed to you and decide you would like to vote early in-person or on election day you must bring the ballot with you in order to vote.  

If you will be completing your ballot and then dropping it off at the ballot box or City of Manassas Voter Registration office please make sure it is in 'Envelope B' and that Envelope B is in the mailing envelope that you received.  This will ensure that we can mark your ballot as returned and turn it over to the Absentee Precinct for processing.

Returning your Voted Ballot
There are several ways to return your ballot once you have voted it:
  • Via US Mail (the enclosed return envelope already has postage on it, so just drop it in the mail)
  • Drop it off at our Ballot Box that is available 24/7 and located at the back of Registrar's Office
  • Office of Elections - 9025 Center Street, Manassas
Important Dates & Deadlines:
Start requesting vote at home ballots – Now 
First batch of ballots to be mailed – April 23, 2021 (if you have already applied, your ballot will be mailed on April 23)
Deadline to request a ballot be mailed to you – May 28, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
Deadline to return your mail ballot – postmarked no later than June 8, 2021 (must be received by Noon on Friday, June 11, 2021)

Is Voting at Home Secure?  Yes.  Here’s How it Works:
You’ll request your ballot and verify your identity via a secure website run by the Virginia Department of Elections.  Your request will be routed to our office and one of our sworn registrars will do further verification checks and approve the request, marking you as having requested a ballot.  Then the absentee voting team will prepare your ballot for mailing and ensure that everything you need is included.
Once you receive your ballot, you’ll mark it in private, then have someone witness* that it was you that did it (they don’t watch you vote, just verify it was you that voted), and mail it back to us via U.S. mail, or drop it off at our office or ballot box.
      *You may disregard the witness requirement if you believe you may not safely have a witness present while completing your ballot.

Once we receive the ballot back, we’ll check it in and mark it as returned, and turn it over to the Central Absentee Precinct for processing. 
You’ll be able to check the status of your ballot (applied, approved, received, etc.) via the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal. 
While the ballot is in the mail (on its way to you and back to us), you’ll be able to track its progress and expected delivery dates here.

Things to Know:
Once you request your ballot by mail, that is your ballot. There is no need to go to your precinct on election day, just return the ballot you were sent and you are good to go.
If you do request a ballot be mailed to you and choose to go to the precinct on election day, you will likely encounter longer than normal wait times because election officials will have to do some processing to switch you back over to voting in person. You will have to surrender the ballot and answer some questions before officials can issue a new ballot. 

If you make a mistake while filling out your ballot, don’t worry. Just give us a call at 703-257-8230 and we’ll get a new one sent to you right away.
If you indicate that you will need assistance filling out the ballot, you must return the request for assistance form included in your ballot packet or your ballot cannot be counted.

Ready to Request your Ballot?   
Read the information below to prepare. Once you’re ready, if you have a Virginia Drivers License or Identification Card apply online at the Virginia Department of Elections website and follow the prompts that guide you through the process.  

If you do not have a Virginia Drivers License or ID card or just prefer to apply by paper application you can download it here (PDF) and mail, fax, or email to the Office of Elections (see bottom of this page for contact info.)  You can also give us a call and we'll mail or email you the application.

Have the following information handy before you apply online:
  • Virginia Driver’s License or DMV-issued ID card
  • Social Security Number
  • Name, Address, Date of Birth
  • Ballot Delivery Address (if not your residence address)
  • Phone Number and/or Email (so we can contact you with any issues)
A few questions you’ll be asked during the online process:
  • Are you currently residing in Virginia or do you now live outside the United States?
  • Are you a member or spouse of an armed services member or citizen overseas?
  • Would you like to vote by mail in the next election or in all remaining elections this year?
  • Would you like your ballot delivered to a different address than your residence?
  • Do you need assistance?  (If so you’ll be sent a form that you will fill out and return with the ballot.)
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