[Archived] New Voter Photo ID Requirements in Virginia

 On Tuesday, November 4, there will be a General Election. Virginians, who are registered to vote, must show one of the following forms of photo identification when voting: 

• Valid Virginia Driver’s License or DMV-issued Photo Identification Card 
• Valid Virginia DMV issued Veteran’s ID card 
• Valid United States Passport or Passport Card 
• Valid Military ID 
• Other government-issued photo identification card (must be issued by the U.S. Government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a local government within Virginia) 
• Valid student photo identification card from an institution of higher education located in Virginia 
• Valid employee photo identification card  

Free Voter Photo Identification Cards

Voters who do not have one of these IDs may apply for a free Voter Photo ID Card from Alexandria’s Office of Voter Registration and Elections. Voters can stop by the office any time it is open (no appointment needed). The office can also assist with information on getting a ride.

Alexandria’s Voter Registration Office is located at 132 North Royal Street, suite 100. It is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the month of August, the office is also open on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Voters applying for the Virginia Voter Photo ID Card need not bring anything with them. When they get to the Voter Registration Office (1) they will fill out a short application, (2) staff at the Office will take the voter’s picture and get their signature, and (3) the voter will receive his or her voter identification card in the mail within two weeks. Voters who need to update their name or address may do so at the same time they come in for their ID. 

Provisional Voting 

Voters who do not bring a photo identification card when voting may still vote a provisional ballot. They will then have until noon on the Friday following the election to either (1) deliver a copy of their photo ID to the Alexandria Voter Registration Office or (2) appear in-person at the office to apply for a free Virginia Voter Photo ID Card and request a Temporary ID which will meet the photo identification requirement for the November election.

ID Requirements for Absentee Voting 

Virginia’s photo ID requirements also apply to absentee voters who vote their absentee ballot in-person. They do not apply to absentee voters who request an absentee ballot by mail. Absentee voting for the November 4 election will begin on Friday, September 19. Voters may view a sample ballot for this election at alexandriava.gov/Elections. 

For more information, contact Anna Leider, General Registrar, at 703.746.4050 or anna.leider@alexandriava.gov.