Registering and Voting FAQs

How do I register to vote?

• Register for the 2021 general election by October 12, 2021. Or, you may call the City of Williamsburg's Director of Elections, Tina Reitzel, at 757-220-6157.
• If you are an out of state student and would like to vote in your state, find more information on voting in your state.
• To vote in Williamsburg from another state, fill out a Virginia Voter Registration Form (pdf).
• For more resources and information, visit HeadCount and State Student Voting Guides.

Where do I go to vote?

EARLY VOTING:

• In-person early voting opened Sept. 18 and continues through the end of October.  
• City of Williamsburg voters may cast their ballots at the Registrar's Office (in Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette St.), Mondays - Fridays and two Saturdays (Oct. 23 & 30) from 8:00am - 4:30pm.
• To vote curbside at the Municipal Building, call 757-220-6157. 
• James City County voters may vote early at the James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road, between 8 and 5 pm Mondays - Fridays and Saturdays, October 23 & 30.

VOTING ON ELECTION DAY:

• The City of Williamsburg fire station will NOT be used as a drive-thru polling location on Nov. 2.
• Almost all of campus votes at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church.  Matoaka Precinct voters will enter and exit through the parking lot entrance.  
• If you live in Brown Hall, Richmond Hall, Sorority Court or Tribe Square, vote at the Community Building.  Stryker Precinct voters will enter through the main door and exit through a separate door.  
• You can also find your polling place after you have registered.

How do I find information on the candidates?

• Utilize non-partisan resources, such as Ballotpedia and Vote 411, to find unbiased information on all of the candidates.
• Be sure to view a sample ballot before election day so you know what to expect. View a sample ballot on Ballotpedia.

What do I do on election day?

• Set aside about 20-30 minutes out of your day to vote.
• Make sure to bring a valid ID, such as your drivers license or W&M ID.
• The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line before 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

How do I register to vote?

• Register for the 2021 general election by October 18. Or, you may contact the City of Williamsburg's Director of Elections, Tina Reitzel, at 757-220-6157.
• If you are an out of state student, learn about voting in your state.
• To vote in Williamsburg from another state, fill out a Virginia Voter Registration Form (pdf).

How do I request a ballot?

• The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the 2021 general election is October 22.
• If you are a Virginia resident, use request a ballot or call the City of Williamsburg's Director of Elections, Tina Reitzel, at 757-220-6157.
• If you are a resident of a different state, find more information about how to vote in your state.

How do I cast my vote?

• Review instructions for mailing your ballot on the "Instructions for Voting an Absentee Ballot" sheet, included in your envelope.
• Be sure to mail in your ballot AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, and by November 2nd. It must be postmarked by Nov. 2 and received no later than noon on Friday, Nov. 5.
• Absentee ballots can also be returned to a dropbox outside the front doors of the Municipal Building (401 Lafayette St.)
• Check to see whether your ballot has been counted.
• If you decide that you'd rather vote in person (early or on Election Day) after requesting an absentee ballot, bring your ballot in its envelope to the in-person voting location; you may trade it for a regular ballot.