Voting Resources

How do I register to vote?

You may register to vote online in Virginia or in your home state, if not Virginia.

You have a decision about where to register to vote. You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family’s home or the place where you attend school. You should update your registration anytime this home address changes, including when you move to new on-campus housing or off-campus. You may only be registered and vote in one location. (Source: Fair Elections Center)

On-campus voter registration events are offered in partnership with the City of Williamsburg Voter Registrar, James City County Voter Registrar, and the League of Women Voters. You may also use these events to check or update your registration. View the events calendar to find upcoming opportunities. 

What's on my ballot?

You can use Vote 411’s Voter’s Guide or Ballotpedia to see what’s on your ballot and learn more about some candidates.

Learn more about presidential, senate, and congressional candidates at Vote Smart.

For information on local elections and the candidates running, head to the James City County’s Office of Elections the Williamsburg Registrar, or the York County Registrar.

Where do I vote?

All on-campus residents who are registered to vote in Williamsburg and choose to vote in-person on Election Day will do so at one of two polling locations. Find your polling location based on your residence hall (.pdf). The Stryker Precinct votes at the Williamsburg Community Building located at 401 North Boundary Street; the Matoaka Precinct votes at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, located at 500 Jamestown Road.

Remember that if you have moved to a new residence hall since you registered (or even a new room in the same hall!), you must update your registration with a change of address. You can do so at one of the on-campus voter registration opportunities listed above.

If you live off-campus anywhere in Virginia, look up your polling location in the Virginia Department of Elections portal.

What are my voting method options? 

Voting Early 

Voting early allows you to choose a convenient time for you, and it’s often less crowded than Election Day – which helps you and those who are working at the polls. 

Be sure to check your registration status in advance, and bring an approved form of ID. If you’re registered to vote in the City of Williamsburg, bring some friends and walk or drive to the Registrar’s Office at 401 Lafayette Street – an eight-minute walk from Sadler Center.

Vote on Election Day

You can vote at your polling place on Election Day. In Virginia, if you have not yet registered to vote, you can participate in Same Day Voter Registration and vote with a provisional ballot, which will be counted after confirming your eligibility to register. 

Registering and voting early will help you avoid the potential of longer lines and ensure your ballot is counted right away.

Vote Absentee by Mail

You may apply to vote absentee by mail in Virginia.  If you are registered outside of Virginia, check your state’s regulations.

For quick information about voting or if you experience any issues while trying to vote, text 1-866-OUR-VOTE or visit Election Protection for help.

How do I become an elections officer? 

Learn how to become a paid Officer of Elections for upcoming elections. Contact the City of Williamsburg Registrar's Office and or Haley Snapp.

How do I learn more about voting and elections?

• The Fair Elections Center provides an expansive guide to voting in Virginia, as well as directions for other states.
• The Fair Elections Center Resources & Reports provide an inside look into the Voter Engagement Committee's methods to encourage higher voter turnout.
• The ALL IN Challenge Toolkit provides inspiration for ways that students can spread the word about voting, both in person and online.