​Online voter registration takes effect in Virginia

On Tuesday, the State Board of Elections, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), launched online voter registration.

The option is a result of recently enacted legislation. Eligible residents will be able to submit a voter registration application or update their registration information online.   

To process transactions online, citizens must provide a Virginia DMV customer identifier number, displayed on DMV issued identification cards or driver’s licenses.

People who don’t have a Virginia DMV customer identifier may still fill out the registration application online, but will be required to print and return the completed application to the appropriate local voter registration office.

Once an application has been processed, people will be notified by mail by the local voter registration office. Voters also will be mailed a new or updated voter registration card.  

The sponsor of the legislation, Del. David Ramadan, a Republican representing eastern Loudoun and western Prince William Counties in Northern Virginia, said in a statement: “The launch of online voter registration will enable eligible citizens to apply to register to vote and to update their registration information online, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, regardless of where military service, family or professional obligations may require them to be. “

Don Palmer, secretary of the Virginia Board of Elections, said online registration “will increase the accuracy and integrity of the voter rolls and assist state and local officials.  More accurate registration rolls will ultimately lead to fewer problems and lines on election day as voters will have updated and accurate records when they arrive at the polling place to vote.”