RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Early voting in Virginia begins soon for the Nov. 5 election. Here’s all you need to know about early voting, voter registration, candidates on the ballot and important dates coming up.

When does early voting begin?

According to the Virginia Department of Elections, early voting begins at all general registrar’s offices in the state on Friday, Sept. 20.

Some cities and counties also offer early voting satellite locations, though dates and times vary by jurisdiction.

To find your general registrar’s office, visit the department’s website. To find the additional early voting locations in Central Virginia, visit this webpage on the department’s website.

What is needed to register to vote and where can you register?

In order to be eligible to register to vote in Virginia, the department says you must:

  • Be a resident of Virginia (a person who has come to Virginia for temporary purposes and intends to return to another state is not considered a resident for voting purposes).
  • Be a U. S. Citizen.
  • Be 18 years old (any person who is 17 years old and will be eighteen years of age at the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election).
  • Not be registered and plan to vote in another state.
  • Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
  • If convicted of a felony, your right to vote must have been restored.

Those who are eligible to register can get an application to register in the following places:

  • Online
  • Local voter registration office
  • Download a PDF copy of the registration form (En Español)
  • State or local government offices when applying or re-certifying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or Rehabilitation Services.
  • Government offices in the State that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to person with disabilities
  • Armed forces recruitment offices
  • Public libraries
  • Virginia Department of Elections office
  • Department of Motor Vehicles offices
  • Voter registration drives

What’s on the ballot?

Candidates on the ballot this year in Virginia are for president and vice president, all 11 congressional seats, a Senate seat, and amendment to the Constitution of Virginia and a variety of local offices.

For a full list of candidates on the ballot, visit the Virginia Department of Election’s website.

What are other important dates to take note of?

The following are important dates to note for the Nov. 5 election cycle:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 15 is the deadline to register to vote and cast a regular ballot.
  • Same-day registration begins on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Anyone registering and voting at the same time will have to cast a provisional ballot, according to the department.
  • The last day to request and absentee ballot by mail or online is Friday, Oct. 25.
  • Saturday, Nov. 2 is the last day of early voting.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 5 is Election Day.
  • All mailed ballots must be received by the general registrar’s office by noon on Friday, Nov. 8.
  • Friday, Nov. 15 is the deadline for local electoral boards to certify provisional ballots.
  • The State Board of Elections certifies results on Monday, Dec. 2.
  • On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Electoral College meets to cast votes for president and vice president.