Elections

Who is on the ballot in the next election? How to register to vote? ...and more

Voter Information.  Register to Vote.  Registrars.  Absentee Voting.  Restoration, Voting Rights.  Election Calendar.

Voter Information

Find information about the next election on this site, under Election Calendar. Look for link to Presidential Primary Election February 12, 2008

Register to Vote

WHO MAY VOTE You may vote if you are:

• A United States citizen,
• At least 18 years old by the General Election Date
• A resident of Virginia,
• Registered to vote in your precinct and,
• Present an valid ID at the polls or sign an affirmation of identity form.

A voter must be a resident of the Commonwealth and the precinct where he or she votes. A person who is registered to vote but who moved from one precinct to another may vote in the following General Election in his or her previous precinct or in the next 2 Federal Elections if living in the same locality and Congressional District.

VOTER REGISTRATION

You may register by mail or at any registration site in the state. Contact local Registrars for locations and hours of in-person registration. Sites include Registrar's office and all DMV locations. Day and evening hours are scheduled. Mail-in application forms for registration may be obtained at Department of Motor Vehicles offices, Armed Forces Recruitment offices, offices providing welfare and disability assistance, and regional offices of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. You may register any time except 28 days prior to a general or primary election or 13 days or less (times vary) prior to a special election. Registration is permanent unless you move and fail to notify the registrar of a change of address. Political party identification is not required. If you move or change your name,

-Call or write your Registrar to obtain a change of name/address form, return your voter card with your new name/address, obtain a change of address form from DMV

or

-Make the appropriate change at any voter registration site.

It is your responsibility to complete the registration forms correctly. If you do not receive a voter registration card, check with your local registrar to see if you were approved before the close of registration.

Registrars

CITY OF RICHMOND, GENERAL REGISTRAR City Hall, Room 105, 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 (804-646-5950) showalkj@ci.richmond,va.us

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY GENERAL REGISTRAR 9848 Lori Road (Court Square) P.O. Box 1690 Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804-748-1471) haakel@co.chesterfield.va.us

GOOCHLAND COUNTY GENERAL REGISTRAR (804-556-5303)

HANOVER COUNTY GENERAL REGISTRAR Room 119, Wickham Building Route 301 at Hanover Courthouse P.O. Box 419 Hanover, VA 23069 (804-365-6080) rmostergren@co.hanover.va.us

HENRICO COUNTY GENERAL REGISTRAR Government Center Government Center Parham and Hungary Springs Rd., or 3820 Nine Mile Road 4301 East Parham Road Henrico, VA 23223 Henrico, VA 23228 (804-501-4347) registrar@co.henrico.va.us

POWHATAN COUNTY GENERAL REGISTRAR (804-598-5604) ipoe@co.powhatan.va.us

STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS Suite 101, 200 North Ninth Street Richmond, VA 23219 (804)864-8901 Tollfree: 800-552-9745 http://www.sbe.state.va.us

Absentee Voting

ABSENTEE VOTING

1. You may request an absentee ballot if you are: Expecting to be away from home on election day

- on personal or professional business or vacation
- studying at a school away from home
- in the active military service.

Unable to go to the polls because you are:

- regularly employed in a business outside the continental limits of the United States,
- member of electoral board, registrar, officer of election, custodian of voting equipment,
- ill, disabled or hospitalized, *
- caring for a sick or disabled family member, or
- confined while awaiting trial or due to a misdemeanor conviction.

2. To vote absentee by MAIL Request an application form for absentee voting from your local Registrar, beginning 10 months before a general election. The Registrar must receive your application at least five (5) days before the election. An absentee ballot will be mailed to you and it MUST be in the Registrar's office by election day. It may be returned by you in person.

• may be eligible to file a special annual application to receive ballots for all elections in a calendar year.

Restoration of Voting Rights

RESTORING VOTING AND CIVIL RIGHTS, source State Board of Elections, 7/19/2007

A convicted felon loses the right to vote, hold public office, or serve on a jury in Virginia. These rights can be restored only by an act of the Governor. You may petition the Governor or the circuit court if you:

• Have completed all your prison or jail terms;
• Have been free of any suspended sentence, probation, or parole for at least five (5) years;
• Are not currently facing criminal charges anywhere; and
• Have paid all court-ordered costs, fines, and/or restitutions.

Clemency

Solely the Governor has the authority to grant clemency and he may do so at his discretion. This discretionary power allows each governor to establish his own guidelines and policies regarding the eligibility of those seeking clemency.

There are two types of clemency: Restoration of Civil Rights and Pardons.

A restoration of rights restores the rights which are lost upon a felony conviction. These include the rights to vote, to run for and hold public office, to serve on juries and to serve as a Notary Public. It does not include the right to possess or transport any firearm or to carry a concealed weapon. [If the Governor restores your rights, you may petition the circuit court of the jurisdiction in which you reside for a permit to possess or carry a firearm. The court may, in its discretion and for good cause shown, grant such a petition and issue a permit.]

There are three types of pardons: simple, conditional, and absolute. All three types require the petitioner to write a letter to the governor stating why the pardon should be granted. If you have been convicted of a felony you must have your rights restored before the Governor will consider a petition for a pardon.

Under Article V, Section 12, of the Virginia Constitution and Section 53.1-229 through 53.1-231 of the Code of Virginia, all clemency authority is vested solely in the Governor. Clemency is not guaranteed and if a petition is denied, the petitioner has no right of appeal.

Petitions for the restoration of rights and pardons are processed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Files are reviewed according to the order in which a completed application is received. The petitioner is notified by mail as to whether his or her petition has been granted or denied by the Governor.

For questions on Pardons, please contact: Patricia Tucker, Director of Extradition and Clemency Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Post Office Box 2454 Richmond, Virginia 23218-2454 (804) 692-0105

For questions on Restoration of Rights, please contact: Micah Womack, Restoration of Rights Director Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Post Office Box 2454 Richmond, Virginia 23218-2454 (804) 692-2531

Election Calendar

Polls are open from 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM for all elections.

ELECTION CALENDAR

2008

Federal:

February 12, 2008: Presidential Primary Elections Click link for information

November 4, 2008: U.S. Senatator (1) 6 year term of office U.S. Representative (11) 2 year term of office

State There are no state elections in 2008

Local: Richmond Metropolitan Area