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Absentee Ballot information

Check Your Voter Registration Information

Registered to vote? Moved and need to make sure your am registered at the correct address?  Please visit Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Elections website to check your status.

Where Should I Register to Vote?

Students who reside on-campus may register to vote at the VWU address.  They are then eligible to vote in the precinct that surrounds the campus.  If you register to vote on the VWU campus, you may only vote at the VWU precinct.  You cannot register to vote at the VWU address and then vote back at your permanent residence.

Deadlines for Registering and Voting

The Commonwealth of Virginia has established the following deadlines in order to vote:

For Marlin community members who are registered to vote outside of the Commonwealth, you can visit the U.S. Vote Foundation, select your state, and see the election deadlines.

Registering to Vote

If you wish to register to vote in the Commonwealth of VA or adjust your registration, you may visit the Marlins Vote page on the VoteReady VA website or you may stop by the Wesleyan Engaged Office (Clarke 115) or Hofheimer Library to fill out a voter registration form.  Both sites can register you to vote anywhere in Virginia.

Absentee Voting/Voting By Mail

If you are not going to be able to get to your polling office to vote on Election Day, you may opt to vote by absentee ballot.  For those individuals in the Commonwealth of Virginia, please visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.

For those who are not registered to vote in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you must start your request for an absentee or vote-by-mail ballot with your state or territorial election office.  Every state’s voting rules are different, including the rules for who can vote by mail and how to obtain an absentee or mail-in ballot.

  • To begin, visit your state or territorial election office website and look for “Absentee Voting” or “Voting By Mail.” If you don’t see either term quickly, try using the site’s search tool.
  • Your state may require you to have a valid excuse to vote absentee. Acceptable excuses vary by state. However, most include:
    • Having an illness, injury, or disability that prevents you from getting to your designated polling place
    • Being on business travel or vacation outside of your county or city of residence on Election Day
    • Being a student at an out-of-state college or university
  • This National Conference of State Legislatures table shows which states require an excuse.
  • Follow your state’s instructions for requesting an absentee or vote-by-mail ballot online or by mail.

From www.usa.gov/absentee-voting

Campus Select, a non-partisan voter engagement organization, has created three videos regarding voting by mail.

Vote From Abroad

Are you a Marlin that is living abroad?  Can't make it back to the US to vote at home?  Please visit Vote From Abroad to request a ballot now.

Become An Election Official

The City of Virginia Beach is seeking individuals who will serve as Election Officials. Election Officials can earn up to $160.  For more information please click here.  You can apply online to be an election official.  

Restore Your Vote

Anyone convicted of a felony in the Commonwealth of Virginia automatically loses their civil rights - the right to vote, serve on a jury, run for office, become a notary public and carry a firearm.  Effective March 16, 2021, Governor Northam has updated the eligibility criteria for the restoration of civil rights so that anyone who has been released from incarceration will have their civil rights (outside of firearms rights) restored.  If you were convicted for a felony in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you may check the status of your civil rights or you can request your rights be restored.

For anyone outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Wesleyan Engaged encourages you to visit Restore Your Vote to get more information.  It will direct you to what state you want to register to vote in and the requirements for individuals convicted of felonies to have their voting rights restored.  Restore Your Vote can also answer questions through their toll-free number (888-306-8683) or via email at restoreyourvote@campaignlegal.org.