Accessible Voter Registration
1. Any person, regardless of their disability status, has the right to register to vote at any office or agency that provides such a service.
2. A person with cognitive disabilities can be eligible to register and vote if not adjudicated mentally incapacitated by a court of law.
You can register to vote:
- Online at the citizen portal
- By mail. Download forms >>>
- At your local voter registration office, which can accommodate special needs: elections.virginia.gov/LocalGR
- At public libraries, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and certain state/local offices such as the Department of Health (VDH), Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS), Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH), and the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)
Accessible Absentee Voting
If you are print disabled, you may request to receive an absentee ballot electronically to mark your ballot using an electronic ballot-marking tool. (See Code of Virginia § 24.2-103.2). If you choose this option for voting absentee, your ballot will be delivered by email and can be marked using screen reader assistive technology.
If you are interested in using this service to vote absentee, select the “print disabled” option under section 7c of your absentee ballot application. If you would prefer, you may apply to vote absentee online using our citizen portal website. Click on “Apply to Vote Absentee by Mail” then follow the prompts and indicate that you are print disabled and wish to use the electronic ballot-marking tool.
If you are print disabled and want more information on how to receive your ballot electronically, please contact your general registrar's office. You can find their contact information using our online lookup tool.
The Department of Elections has designated employees who voters with print disabilities and election officials can contact to resolve issues encountered while using the electronic ballot-marking tool. If you have questions about using the ballot-marking tool, please contact the ADA Ombudsman, Garry E. Ellis, Garry.Ellis@elections.virginia.gov, Senior Registrar Liaison, Tanya Pruett, Tanya.Pruett@elections.virginia.gov or call 1-800-552-9745 or TTY 711.
Accessible Polling Places
There is at least one voting machine accessible to voters with disabilities at each polling place. Voters with a disability should be able to vote in the same private and independent manner as a voter without a disability.
Virginia polling places, including early voting locations, meet state and federal accessibility standards. You can find:
- Accessible parking spaces
- Curbside - where needed
- Signs showing an accessible entrance and route in building
- Accessible voting booth with chair
- Seating available for voters waiting to vote
- Sufficient space for voters in wheelchairs
- Notepads available to communicate in writing
- Magnifier for election material and the ballot
Curbside voting and other assistance is available
If you require assistance in reading or completing forms, please ask an election official to provide help. You may also bring your own helper. If you have a physical disability, help is available. Please ask an election officer for the assistance you may need at any stage of the voting process.
If you are 65 or older, or have a physical disability, you may vote on Election Day without leaving your vehicle. This is called curbside voting. If you would like to use curbside voting, make sure to use the designated parking space at the polling location and follow the instructions on any signage. Some voters find it helpful to bring a helper who can enter the polling place to ask an election officer for curbside assistance. You may also find it helpful to call ahead to alert the officers of the election of the time you plan to arrive.
Remember, if you have questions, ask an election officer to explain your rights.
For More Information
Questions?
- Contact your local voter registration office: elections.virginia.gov/LocalGR
- Contact the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745 or info@elections.virginia.gov
- TTY Phone Access for Hearing Impaired: Contact Virginia Relay Service at 711 and ask them to call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745 or your local voter registration office: elections.virginia.gov/LocalGR
Concerned that your rights to accessible voting/registration have been violated?
- Submit your complaint here: Voter Complaints or
- Contact your local voter registration office or electoral board: elections.virginia.gov/LocalGR or
- Contact the Accessibility Coordinator at the Department of Elections:
Email: info@elections.virginia.gov
Telephone: (800) 552-9745 or TYY 711