In 2024, voter turnout in Chesterfield County reached 73% of the county’s 275,000 registered voters during the general and special elections. This level of participation reflects an increase in civic engagement among local residents.
Missy Vera serves as the General Registrar and Director of Elections for Chesterfield County. She is appointed by the Electoral Board, which consists of three members selected by the chief judge of the circuit court. Vera’s responsibilities include registering voters and maintaining accurate records. The Registrar’s office aims to ensure transparency and public confidence in local elections.
The Office of the General Registrar is located at 9848 Lori Road and provides services related to voter registration, polling information, and opportunities for residents interested in working at polling stations. The office operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with further details available on Chesterfield’s official website.
To register to vote in Virginia, individuals must be U.S. citizens, residents of Virginia, and at least 18 years old by the next general election. Registration can be completed online, by mail, or in person at either the Registrar’s Office or DMV locations. Voters receive a registration card once their application is processed. It is necessary to update registration information after moving or changing names.
College students living in Chesterfield may register using their dormitory or apartment address along with a PO Box if applicable. Military personnel and overseas Americans can participate through the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Those with felony convictions must have voting rights restored by the Governor before registering; people declared mentally incompetent by a court are not eligible to vote.
Chesterfield offers several ways for residents to cast ballots. Early in-person voting begins 45 days before each election at Central Library on Lucy Corr Blvd., with additional libraries serving as satellite polling sites during general elections.
Voting by mail is also available; eligible voters must apply for an absentee ballot online, by mail, or in person. Marked ballots may be returned via mail or dropped off at secure boxes located at early voting sites, the registrar’s office, and all polling places while polls are open.
On Election Day, polls operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters should go to their assigned precincts listed on their registration cards or found through Virginia’s online voter portal https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup . If eligibility questions arise, provisional ballots are provided so every individual has an opportunity to vote; these are reviewed post-election according to state law.
Voters need an acceptable form of identification such as a Virginia driver’s license or other approved IDs—a complete list can be found on https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/voterid/index.html . Curbside voting options exist for seniors and those with disabilities at all locations.
Residents are encouraged to serve as Officers of Election—registered Virginia voters who help run polling places on Election Day after completing required training.
Questions about voting procedures can be directed to the registrar’s office or answered through resources on both Chesterfield County’s website https://www.chesterfield.gov/registrar/ and the Virginia Department of Elections site https://www.elections.virginia.gov/ .
