Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register to vote in Fredericksburg?
If you are a U.S. citizen, your home is in Virginia, and you are age 18 or older, you can register to vote in Virginia. If you will be 18 by the next general election, you can register when you are 17. If you have been convicted of a felony or if you have been declared mentally incompetent by a circuit court, you must have your voting rights restored.
When can I register?
Registration is open all year. To vote in a general or primary election, you must register at least 29 days before the election. To vote in a special election, you must register at least 14 days before the election.
Where can I register?
You can register to vote at any of the following:
- the voter registrar's office at 715 Princess Anne Street
- any Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles location
- any special registration site set up by the Registrar's Office
- the public library
- many state agency offices
- for additional information, see the voter registration page or call (540) 372-1030
Does it cost anything to register?
No! Voter registration is free.
What information do I need to register?
You must give under oath your full legal name, your home address and how long you have lived there, your date of birth, your social security number, and the last place you were registered to vote, if any.
Do I have to state my political party preference?
No. Virginia does not have voter registration by party.
How can I register if I am homebound?
You may register by mail, call us, or write your voter registrar. The registrar will send you a mail-in application for voter registration. If you are in this category, you may vote by absentee ballot.
Do I have to register for each election?
No as long as you have not moved.
What should I do if I move to another Virginia city or county after I register?
Send a change of address to your new or former registrar. Give your name, phone number, social security number, old and new addresses. You may use your voter registration card or a plain piece of paper, which must be signed.
What should I do if I have changed my name or local address since the last election?
Tell your voter registrar in writing or stop by any registration site and complete a new application for voter registration.
Can I transfer my registration from another state?
No. You must register in Virginia.
When are the polls open?
All polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Where do I vote?
At your regular polling place.
When are absentee ballots counted?
The City of Fredericksburg has a separate precinct (Central Absentee Precinct) where the absentee ballots are counted. The Election Officials meet on the day of the election and feed the ballots through a tabulator as they are done in the polling places. The absentee ballots are counted and become part of the total votes recorded on election night.
Where can I find information on the candidates and issues?
The Registrar of Voters is prohibited from providing information on candidates or issues. You must obtain this information from the candidates, political parties, organizations interested in the issues, or from local media sources. Local and statewide issues are advertised in The Free Lance-Star. Past and present issues of local newspapers are available at the library, as well as other Virginia Election Information.
|
