Voter Identification

Virginia law requires all voters to provide an acceptable form of voter identification when voting in person.

Acceptable Forms of Voter Identification 

Effective July 1, 2020, voters may show either voter registration confirmation documents or other forms of identification as indicated below when voting: 

  • Valid Virginia Driver’s License or Virginia DMV identification card
  • Valid United States Passport
  • Other identification issued by the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States
  • Valid student photo identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth or any private or public school located in the Commonwealth
  • Valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in any other state or territory of the United States
  • Valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business
  • Copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter
  • To expedite voter check-in on Election Day, we recommend voters bring their Virginia Driver’s License or Virginia DMV identification card.  Our electronic Pollpads scan the barcode on the DMV ID to go directly to the voter record.  This allows for rapid and accurate check-in of the voter.

No Acceptable Identification

A voter without acceptable photo identification must sign a statement that he/she is the named registered voter he/she claims to be in order to be permitted to cast a ballot.  Such statement is signed subject to felony penalties for making false statements, punishable as a Class 5 felony.  A voter who does not show one of the required forms of identification and does not complete or sign the statement shall be offered a Provisional Ballot.

Provisional Ballot

A "Provisional Ballot" is a special paper ballot that is offered to any voter whose qualification to vote is in question. This may include, but is not limited to the following:

  • A person who does not present acceptable identification when voting.
  • A person whose name is not on the poll book at the precinct on Election Day and whose qualification cannot be immediately resolved.

Norfolk Electoral Board

The Norfolk Electoral Board makes a determination on all "Provisional Ballots" at the Canvass of Votes Meeting, which is held at 10 a.m. the day following each election in the Norfolk Circuit Court Building, located at:
150 Street Paul’s Boulevard
Norfolk, VA 23510

Anyone who has voted a "Provisional Ballot" is welcome to attend this meeting.