Your Questions Answered: Voting in the 2020 Election

At our recent town hall with Congressman Gerry Connolly and Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta, questions about voting in the 2020 Elections outweighed any other concern. We’ve put together answers to the most pressing questions, below. The best place to find accurate information is on the Office of Elections’ pwcvotes.org website or to call the Registrar at 703-792-6470. With the pandemic and new voter laws generating an increased call volume, you may experience a delay in connecting with staff.

The County registrar warns that misinformation–whether designed to cause confusion, or well-intended but inaccurate–is expected to be rampant this election season. Before sharing anything regarding voting or registration, verify through multiple sources, or only share information from known, credible sources such as the County’s pwcvotes.org site or the League of Women Voters. If you are unsure about the accuracy of something you see, please reach out to the Office of Elections or our office.

What is the deadline to register to vote, or to update my registration?

October 13 is the last day to register to vote, or to update registration, for the November 2020 election. It is a good practice to check your registration each year to ensure it is accurate. Be sure to update your registration if you have moved or changed names. All applications must be received by October 13, whether mailed, delivered in person or submitted online.

How can I register to vote?

In order to register to vote in Virginia, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a Virginia resident. If you meet these criteria, you may submit a voter registration application using the Virginia Department of Elections site by either:

Registering online.
Downloading the registration application, completing it, and mailing or hand-delivering it to the Prince William County Office of Elections, 9250 Lee Avenue, Suite 1, Manassas, VA 20110

How can I vote early in-person?

You no longer need an excuse to vote early in-person. Anyone registered to vote may cast their ballot early, and no separate application is required to do so. Simply go to the location of your choice to cast your ballot. You do not need an appointment. All that is required is to show voter identification.

The time frame for early in-person voting is September 18 to October 31.

Where can I vote early in-person?

September 18 to October 17, vote Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Closed Sundays. Choose from the locations below:

Haymarket Gainesville Library, 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket, VA 20169
Prince William County Office of Elections, 9250 Lee Avenue, Suite 1, Manassas, VA 20110
DMV Woodbridge, 2731 Caton Hill Road, Woodbridge 22191

October 18 to October 31, vote Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays. Choose from the locations below:

Haymarket Gainesville Library, 14870 Lightner Road, Haymarket, VA 20169
Prince William County Office of Elections, 9250 Lee Avenue, Suite 1, Manassas, VA 20110
DMV Woodbridge, 2731 Caton Hill Road, Woodbridge 22191
McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex, Woodbridge, VA 22192
AJ Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Piney Branch Elementary School, 8301 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136
Charles J. Colgan, Sr. High School, 13833 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA 20112
Dumfries Town Hall, 101 S. Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026

If I have requested a mailed ballot, can I still vote early in-person?

Yes, if you have changed your mind, you can vote in-person instead. If you have received your mail-in ballot, explain to the election officer that you prefer to vote in person, and turn the ballot over to them to be ‘spoiled.’ If you do not have possession of the ballot that you requested by mail, the election officer will have you fill out paperwork so that you can vote provisionally.

The elections office will begin sending ballots requested by mail during the week of September 13. You may want to wait until they arrive to streamline the process.

Can I drop off my mailed ballot at an early voting location?

Yes, you can give the poll workers your completed ballot at any of the County’s early voting locations, or at your polling place on November 3. The Registrar’s office also plans to set up drop boxes at early voting locations. If you choose to mail your ballot, it must be postmarked by November 3 to be counted.

What form of identification do I need in order to vote?

Whether you vote early or on Election Day, you must show one of the acceptable forms of identification (see list). Any voter who does not present acceptable ID may instead sign a statement, subject to felony penalties, that they are the named registered voter who they claim to be. Any voter who does not present acceptable identification and does not sign this statement must vote a provisional ballot.

How does curbside voting work?

Curbside voting has been available to voters who were unable to come into the polling place for reasons such as physical disability. This year, it is also available to voters who do not wish to enter the polling place due to COVID-19 concerns.

Curbside voting will be available at early voting locations, and your Election Day polling place: Just push and the Election Officer will come out and ask for your voter identification. After taking it inside to process, they will return with your voter ID and the ballot inside a folder. The Election Officer will wait outside with you until you’ve completed the ballot. After completion, hand them the folder with the ballot inside, which they will take inside to scan for you.

You can learn more about curbside voting and accessible voting on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Who are the Election Officers & Poll Workers?

They are Prince William residents just like you, who want are passionate about free and fair elections. These dedicated members of our community go through an application and training process, and must be registered voters. The position is compensated, but year after year, we hear that the real reward is taking a hands-on role in the democratic process.

Currently, the County is in need of 1,600 workers to run 93 polling stations on November 3, as well as people to staff early voting sites. If you are interested in contributing to the community in this way, visit the Virginia Elections site to learn more and apply online.

For more information regarding the November 2020 election, please see the below resources: