2023 Virginia 2023 Virginia Voter Guide Voter Guide LGBTQ+LGBTQ+ VOTE ON OR BY NOV. 7, 2023 EQUALITYVIRGINIA.ORG
How to Use This Guide who we are
This year ' s election is incredibly important for LGBTQ+ and especially trans* voters. This voter guide is designed to give you the most important information about what’s on your ballot and how to make a plan to vote. This guide is meant to elevate the most important issues for LGBTQ+ voters in Virginia.
Whether it's your first time voting or your 50th, this guide is meant to ensure you ' re able to make an informed decision on how you plan to vote in the Virginia General Election. Inside you’ll find key dates and deadlines, how to register and make a plan to vote.
Equality Virginia is a 501(c)(3) organization working to build a fully inclusive Commonwealth by educating, empowering, and mobilizing Virginians to ensure all LGBTQ+ people are free to live, love, learn, and work.
LGBTQ+ Equality IS ON THE BALLOT
Since the Youngkin administration took office, attacks on LGBTQ+ rights have increased on all fronts. We are facing the worst attack on LGBTQ+ dignity and humanity that we have seen in decades:
In 2023 anti-equality legislators launched an unprecedented legislative assault on LGBTQ+ people in state legislatures across the country– surpassing 2022 as the worst year on record for introducing and enacting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in state houses across the country. Legislators across the country proposed 500+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills this year a new record. About 300+ of these target trans rights, specifically trans kids – excluding them from sports, prohibiting them from using school bathrooms, and preventing them from accessing life-saving medical care. And it was the same here in Virginia, where antiequality lawmakers introduced-- but failed to pass-- over a dozen anti-LGBTQ+ bills, a majority attacking our youth.
It doesn’t have to be this way. This November, all 40 Senate seats and all 100 House seats are up for election in redrawn, untested districts. This is our best opportunity in a generation to build a pro-LGBTQ+ majority at the state and local level, one that finally sees us, respects us, and fights for us.
When you show up to vote this year, you’re helping build a Virginia that we all deserve. A Virginia that makes our schools safe for LGBTQ+ youth, that gives us access to affirming healthcare, and makes it easier for us to live our lives freely, openly, and authentically.
WHO IS ON THE BALLOT
The 2023 election will be the first election held under new district maps following redistricting as a result of the 2020 census.
Virginia State Senate
All 40 seats in the Virginia Senate are up for election.
Virginia House of Delegates
All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates are up for election.
Local Offices
Some localities have elections for local offices such as School Board and Board of Supervisors.
Local Referendums
Some localities will have referendums.
FIND OUT WHAT IS ON YOUR BALLOT
IMPORTANT DATES
Deadline to register to vote or update existing registration
Monday, October 16, 2023
Deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you
Friday, October 16, 2023
In-person early voting at registrar’s offices
Starts Friday September 22nd, 2023
Ends Saturday, November 4th, 2023
In-person early voting at voter registration offices
Saturday, October 28, 2023
ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
REGISTER TO VOTE
To receive an absentee ballot click this link
Absentee Ballot Tool
To register to vote go to vote.org/ register-to-vote/ REMEMBER! Virginia has same-day voter registration. You can register to vote ON Election Day!
MORE INFO
MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE
Check your voter registration status
Not sure if you’re registered to vote? It takes two minutes to check your voter registration status or register to vote.
Vote by mail (also known as absentee)
Can’t or don’t want to vote in-person on Election Day?
You can request to receive an absentee ballot.
Vote in person (early or on Election Day)
Prefer to vote in-person? You can either vote early starting on September 22nd, or on November 7th (Election Day).
FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION
MORE INFO Voter registration DEADLINES
In Person: Received by close of business 22 days before Election Day OR
If you miss the deadline, Same-Day Registration is available during Early Voting and on Election Day.
By Mail: Postmarked 22 days before Election Day.
Online: Received by 11:59 PM 22 days before Election Day
You may register at the office of your general registrar or satellite location during the early voting period.
On Election Day, you must go to the polling place for the precinct in which you reside.
CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION
To register in Virginia you must:
Be a citizen of the United States;
Be a resident of Virginia and of the precinct in which you want to vote;
Be 18 years old by the next general election (a person who is 17 years old may register to vote in advance of their 18th birthday and can vote in intervening primary or special elections if the person will turn 18 by the date of the next general election);
Not have a felony conviction, unless the person has had their civil rights restored; and
Not currently be declared incapacitated by a court.
Voting by mail
Rules
Any registered Virginia voter may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Deadlines To Apply
In Person: Received 3 days before Election Day. By Mail: Received 11 days before Election Day.
Online: Received 11 days before Election Day.
Deadlines To Submit
Postmarked by Election Day and received by noon 3 days after Election Day.
How to Fill Out
Sign and date where indicated. Mail your voted ballot back to the address indicated on the return envelope.
Double-check the deadlines and be sure to cast your voted ballot on time to be sure it is counted.
REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT
Voting early
You can vote in-person before Election Day
First day of in-person early voting at your local registrar's office: Friday, September 22, 2023.
Voter registration offices open for early voting: Saturday, October 28, 2023.
The last day of in-person early voting at your local voter registration office: Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
FIND YOUR EARLY VOTE POLLING LOCATION
Voting on Election Day
When do polls open?
On November 7, polls open at 6AM and close at 7PM.
REMEMBER: If you are in line at the time of the polls closing, you may still cast your ballot.
Where can I vote?
On Election Day you are required to vote at your polling location
What do I need to vote?
Virginia law requires all voters to provide either an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the polls. The ID is used to confirm your name as it is listed on the voter roll.
FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION
VOTING
WHILE
TRANS
In Virginia, the voter registration application asks for your gender- female, male or non-binary.
Remember your rights when voting!
When voting, the name on your ID must match the name under which you are registered.
You have the right to vote free of discrimination or intimidation at the polls!
Having ID that doesn’t match your gender identity or presentation should not affect your right to cast a ballot.
For a full list of acceptable voter IDs visit HERE .
You have the right to vote if you are in line by the time polls close (7 PM)!
VOTING WHILE TRANS GUIDE
You have the right to request curbside assistance at your polling location if you have a disability or are over 65 years old
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