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Registration deadline for Virginia primary nears

The last day to register to vote in the Virginia presidential primaries is Jan. 14. The presidential primaries are scheduled to be held Feb. 12. All registered voters may vote in either party's primary, but not both. Voters will be able to cast their votes in their normal polling place. 

Under a special provision of Virginia law, Virginia residents who will turn 18 years of age on or before the Nov. 4 presidential election are eligible to register in advance and vote in the presidential primary. 

Voter registration applications must be postmarked no later than Jan. 14. Applications are available at the local General Registrar's Office, the Department of Motor Vehicles and on the Virginia State Board of Election's Web site.

An application to vote by absentee ballot may also be submitted and can be requested from your local General Registrar or obtained from the Virginia State Board of Elections web site. Applicants must list a qualifying reason for voting absentee, and state which party's ballot they are requesting. Absentee applications may be completed in person at the General Registrar's office no later than Saturday, Feb. 9.  However, absentee applications being mailed or faxed to the General Registrar's office must be received no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Once cast, absentee ballots are final. Absentee voters cannot change their mind and vote again even if their candidate withdraws before the primary date. In order to be counted, voted absentee ballots must be received by the time the polls close on Tuesday, Feb. 12.

To obtain a voter registration application or an application to vote absentee go to the Virginia State Board of Elections web site at www.sbe.virginia.gov.