About Elections In Virginia
When are elections held?
November General Elections
Statewide general elections are held each year on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November for the purpose of electing federal or state executive and legislative representatives. Local elected representatives may also appear on the November general election ballot. The election schedule for federal and state offices is as follows:
Federal Offices
President and Vice President Four year term Next elected: 2012
of the United States
United States Senate Six year term; two 2012 and 2016
staggered terms
House of Representatives Two year term 2012
Virginia Offices
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Four year term 2013
Attorney General
Virginia Senate Four year term 2015
Virginia House of Delegates Two year term 2013
Most counties and cities also elect Constitutional officers -- offices prescribed by the Constitution of Virginia, unless the county or city's charter provides otherwise -- in November general elections. These offices are Sheriff, Attorney for the Commonwealth, Treasurer, Commissioner of Revenue, and Clerk of the Circuit Court. These offices are usually elected in odd-numbered years and serve for four-year terms, except for Clerk of the Circuit Court, which serves an eight-year term.
In most counties, the members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board and certain other local offices are also elected in November. These offices are typically elected to four-year terms. The frequency of the elections may vary by community. Some cities and towns elect their local offices at November general elections; terms and frequency may vary.
May General Elections
Some cities and towns elect their Mayors, City Council members, School Board members, and other offices at May general elections. Term limits and frequency of elections vary from community to community.
Primary Elections
The Democratic and Republican Parties may choose to select their nominees for offices in November general elections through primary elections. Primaries, if held, are always on the second Tuesday in June. Primaries for May General Elections, if held, are always on the second Tuesday in March.
Special Elections
Special elections are held when a vacancy occurs in any elected office or when a referendum election is called. Depending upon the timing of the vacancy or the call for the referendum, a special election may take place on the same day as a general election. Special elections are always held on Tuesdays.
Since specific elected offices, terms of office, and frequency of elections vary, please contact your local election office for specific election information in your community.
When are the polls open?
The polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. each Election Day. If you are waiting in line when the polls close, you will be allowed to vote.
Where do I vote?
Look up your polling place using the Virginia State Board of Elections Polling Place Lookup feature.
November General Elections
Statewide general elections are held each year on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November for the purpose of electing federal or state executive and legislative representatives. Local elected representatives may also appear on the November general election ballot. The election schedule for federal and state offices is as follows:
Federal Offices
President and Vice President Four year term Next elected: 2012
of the United States
United States Senate Six year term; two 2012 and 2016
staggered terms
House of Representatives Two year term 2012
Virginia Offices
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Four year term 2013
Attorney General
Virginia Senate Four year term 2015
Virginia House of Delegates Two year term 2013
Most counties and cities also elect Constitutional officers -- offices prescribed by the Constitution of Virginia, unless the county or city's charter provides otherwise -- in November general elections. These offices are Sheriff, Attorney for the Commonwealth, Treasurer, Commissioner of Revenue, and Clerk of the Circuit Court. These offices are usually elected in odd-numbered years and serve for four-year terms, except for Clerk of the Circuit Court, which serves an eight-year term.
In most counties, the members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board and certain other local offices are also elected in November. These offices are typically elected to four-year terms. The frequency of the elections may vary by community. Some cities and towns elect their local offices at November general elections; terms and frequency may vary.
May General Elections
Some cities and towns elect their Mayors, City Council members, School Board members, and other offices at May general elections. Term limits and frequency of elections vary from community to community.
Primary Elections
The Democratic and Republican Parties may choose to select their nominees for offices in November general elections through primary elections. Primaries, if held, are always on the second Tuesday in June. Primaries for May General Elections, if held, are always on the second Tuesday in March.
Special Elections
Special elections are held when a vacancy occurs in any elected office or when a referendum election is called. Depending upon the timing of the vacancy or the call for the referendum, a special election may take place on the same day as a general election. Special elections are always held on Tuesdays.
Since specific elected offices, terms of office, and frequency of elections vary, please contact your local election office for specific election information in your community.
When are the polls open?
The polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. each Election Day. If you are waiting in line when the polls close, you will be allowed to vote.
Where do I vote?
Look up your polling place using the Virginia State Board of Elections Polling Place Lookup feature.