Voting

Make your plan to Vote

Voting is a fundamental responsibility of every eligible citizen. It’s how we hold our leaders accountable and ensure that the will of the people is reflected in our laws and policies. As recent events have shown, low voter turnout can lead to serious, even devastating consequences.

Looking ahead, the 2025 elections in Virginia will be critical. Voters will decide who will serve as governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and in the state legislature—positions that shape the direction of our Commonwealth. Then, in 2026, the focus turns to the midterm elections, with important races for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Here’s how to make sure you’re ready to vote—and make your voice count:

Register to vote

You may register to vote in Clarke County if:

  • You are a U.S. citizen;
  • you are a Clarke County resident (someone temporarily living in Clarke County who intends to return to another locality or another state is not a county resident for voting purposes);
  • you are 18-years old — or will be 18 — at the next general election;
  • you are not claiming the right to vote in any other state;
  • you are not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law; and
  • you have not been convicted of a felony or, if you have been convicted of a felony, your right to vote has been restored.

There are four ways you can register to vote:

  • Visit the Virginia Department of Elections’ Citizen Portal to register, check your status, or update your information.
  • You can also register the Clarke County Office of Elections located at 101 Chalmers Ct. in Berryville. For questions please contact the General Registrar and Director of Elections Brandon Kovak at (540) 955-5168 or vote@clarkecounty.gov.
  • You can register to vote at any Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office, where you can also update your information.
  • If the deadline to register has passed, Virginia allows Same Day Voter Registration at early voting or on Election Day, which will allow you to cast a provisional ballot. You can learn more about Same Day Voter Registration on the Virginia Department of Elections website. 

Vote

There are three ways to vote, and you can choose whichever method you prefer. Each method is safe and secure.

  • Vote by mail. Vote from the comfort of your own home! You can apply for a mail-in ballot for a single election or choose to be a permanent absentee voter and you will get a ballot by mail for every election you are eligible to vote in.
  • Vote early in person. Virginia offers early in-person voting beginning 45 days before each election and ending on the Saturday preceding the election, at the Clarke County Office of Elections located at 101 Chalmers Ct. in Berryville, (540) 955-5168.
  • Vote in person on Election Day. On Election Day, you will need to vote at your regular polling place between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. You can look up your polling place if you’re not sure.

And don’t forget to bring your ID. Acceptable forms of identification for voting at the polling place or voting early include the following

  • Voter confirmation document you received after you registered to vote
  • Virginia DMV-issued driver’s license or identification card
  • Valid United States passport
  • Any I.D. card issued by the U.S., Virginia, or a local Virginia government
  • Any student photo I.D. card issued by a US university or community college outside of Virginia
  • Valid student I.D. issued by a public school or private school in Virginia
  • Employer-issued photo I.D. card
  • Any current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with your name and address
  • An I.D. Confirmation Statement
  • For a more detailed list of acceptable IDs

Helpful Resources

Here are some helpful resources related to voting: