News Flash

Aug. 21, 2020 - Hampton voters will have several options for the presidential race on Nov. 3, 2020, due to concerns about COVID: Absentee voting, early in-person voting or traditional polling places on election day. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:

Register to vote or update registration

• Who: Anyone who will be 18 by election day can register to vote. Anyone who has moved since the last election should change/update address.
• How: Go online or register in-person at the registrar’s office or any Hampton library.
• Deadline: Oct. 13, 2020.
• If you are a first-time voter in Hampton, you cannot vote absentee by mail unless you meet certain requirements.

Absentee voting by mail

• Who: Due to a law effective July 1, anyone can vote absentee; you no longer need to choose a reason.
• How: Complete the online form or call the registrar’s office to have a form sent to you. 
• Deadline to apply: Your request for an absentee ballot must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 23; sooner is better than later, due to what is expected to be a large volume of requests.
• When will I get my ballot? The Hampton registrar will begin mailing absentee ballots to applicants on Sept. 18.
• Deadline to vote: Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3 and must be received by noon on Friday, Nov. 6. You can also deliver your ballot in-person to the registrar’s office. (You cannot have someone else deliver your ballot.)

Early voting (Absentee voting in person)

• Who: Due to a law effective July 1, anyone can vote absentee; you no longer need to choose a reason.
• How: You can vote in-person at the registrar’s main or satellite office. You must bring an ID with you, just as you would at your precinct.
• When: Begins Sept. 18; Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open on Saturdays Oct. 24 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Deadline: Last day to vote early is Oct. 31
• Where: 1919 Commerce Drive, Suite  470 or 101 Kings Way

Voting on Election Day

• How: Go to your assigned polling place. (If you forget, you can check on the city’s GIS system or the state site.) You must bring an ID with you. COVID precautions (masking, social distancing) will be observed. You may bring your own black ballpoint pen.
• When: Polls open Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. can vote.
• Accessible and/or curbside voting — both early and at your precinct — are available upon request.

Voter Registrar

• Main office: 1919 Commerce Drive Suite 280 (off Coliseum Drive, behind Courtyard by Marriott hotel)
• Early voting: 1919 Commerce Drive Suite 470, open Sept. 18 – Oct. 31
• Early voting: 101 Kings Way (former courthouse), open Sept. 18 – Oct. 31
• Phone:  757-727-6218
• Website: hampton.gov/voter