Early Voting Begins for Virginia Congressional Redistricting Amendment

New voting location in Albemarle County, mail-in ballot deadlines, and what to bring to the polls.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Early voting for the April 21 referendum on a Virginia congressional redistricting amendment begins this Friday, March 6, 2026. Albemarle County is using a new voting location at the County Office Building, while Charlottesville's early voting site is at the City Hall Annex. Voters are encouraged to check their registration status, request mail-in ballots by April 10, and bring a valid ID when voting in person.

Why it matters

This referendum on congressional redistricting is an important issue that will impact how voting districts are drawn in Virginia. The new voting locations and mail-in ballot deadlines are crucial details for residents to be aware of as they prepare to cast their ballots.

The details

In Albemarle County, early in-person voting will take place in Conference Room B of the County Office Building, rather than the usual Conference Room A. Charlottesville's early voting site is at the City Hall Annex in Room 142. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is April 10 at 5 p.m., and voters are advised to wait a few days after requesting a mail-in ballot before attempting to vote in person, to ensure they receive their ballot. While Virginia does not have a voter ID law, voters are encouraged to bring a valid form of identification when voting.

  • Early voting begins on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • Early voting in Albemarle County runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., from March 6 to April 18.
  • Early voting in Albemarle County will also be available on Saturdays, April 11 and 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m.
  • The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, April 14.

The players

Jonell McFadden

The Albemarle County Voting Registrar, who is alerting voters about the new voting location.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You're coming inside the front doors to your right and there will be signage there and elections officers leading people and pointing them in the right direction.”

— Jonell McFadden, Albemarle County Voting Registrar (cvillerightnow.com)

“We would like for you to wait until you get it, we're just mailing them, and a lot of times we'll have people show up on Day One in-person because they haven't received their absentee ballot yet.”

— Jonell McFadden, Albemarle County Voting Registrar (cvillerightnow.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This early voting process for the Virginia congressional redistricting referendum highlights the importance of staying informed about voting locations, deadlines, and requirements, especially as voting procedures continue to evolve.