How Mason Students Can Register, Vote Early, or Mail In Their Ballots
By: Saahiti Kiran Chamala, Mason Votes Managing Editor
The 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election is right around the corner — Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025 — and as students at George Mason University, we’re in a unique position to make a real impact. Whether you’re living on campus, commuting from home, or studying abroad this fall, you still have the power to shape Virginia’s future.
This isn’t just about voting for governor. The ballot will also include other statewide offices and seats in the General Assembly. Participating in elections is one of the most direct ways to make your voice heard — and Virginia makes it pretty accessible to do so.
For more info on the election itself, visit: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/calendars-schedules/upcoming-elections.html
Step 1: Get Registered to Vote (Deadline: October 24, 2025)
Your very first step is to register to vote — this is basically how you let the state know you plan to participate in the election. The deadline to register online or by mail is Friday, October 24, 2025.
If you sign up by this date, you’ll be able to vote normally at your assigned polling place, just like everyone else. But if you miss the deadline, don’t stress — Virginia has what’s called “same-day registration.” That just means you can still register during early voting or even on Election Day itself. The only difference is that your vote will be called a “provisional ballot,” which is just a fancy way of saying it’ll be double-checked and counted after they confirm you’re eligible.
As a Mason student, you get to choose where you register:
- You can use your campus address (your residence hall), which means your polling place will likely be on or near campus.
- Or you can use your home address, if you’d prefer to vote back home.
If you’re registering with your campus address, make sure to include your residence hall and room number so they know exactly where you live. Provide your current residence hall’s physical building address (including your residence hall name and room number) as your RESIDENCE (Question #2) on the voter registration application, AND provide your Hub mailing address (4450 Rivanna River Way, PMB #, Fairfax, VA 22030) as your MAILING ADDRESS (Question #4) on the voter registration application.
To register to vote online or to check if you’ve already registered or need to update your info, visit: vote.gov/register/virginia or elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/
Step 2: Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballots)
If you don’t want to wait in line on Election Day or won’t be on campus when voting happens, voting by mail is a super easy option. Think of it like getting your ballot delivered to your mailbox instead of having to go to a polling place in person.
In Virginia, anyone can vote by mail — you don’t need to give a reason or meet any special requirements. All you have to do is request your ballot. The deadline to ask for a mail-in ballot is Friday, October 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
Once your ballot shows up, you have two simple ways to return it:
- Mail it back: Just make sure it’s postmarked by Election Day (November 4) and that your local election office gets it by noon on the third business day after the election.
- Drop it off: You can also hand-deliver it to an official drop box or your local registrar’s office by 7:00 PM on Election Day.
If you’re living on campus, one of the easiest places to drop off your ballot is the Fairfax County Government Center or another designated drop box nearby.
To learn more about voting by mail or to request your ballot, visit: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting/
Step 3: Vote Early In-Person (Sept. 19-Nov. 1)
If you’d rather cast your vote in person but don’t want to deal with the busy lines on Election Day, early in-person voting is a perfect option. Think of it as getting a head start on voting — you show up, fill out your ballot, and you’re done!
In Virginia, you don’t need an appointment or a special reason to vote early. Early voting begins on Friday, September 19, 2025, and runs through Saturday, November 1, 2025.
For Mason students, the closest early voting site is typically the Fairfax County Government Center, which is just a quick ride from campus by bus, car, or rideshare. It’s usually less crowded than Election Day, which means less waiting and a much smoother process.
For details on early voting locations and hours, visit: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/early-voting-office-locations/
Step 4: Vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 4, 2025)
If you prefer the classic way of voting — showing up on Election Day — here’s what you need to know. Polling places in Virginia are open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
The most important thing: if you’re in line by 7:00 PM, you still get to vote, even if the line is long. So don’t let a crowd scare you off — as long as you’re there before closing time, your vote counts.
For Mason students who register with their Fairfax on-campus address, your polling place will most likely be the University Precinct in Merten Hall right on campus. That means you can literally walk to your polling location between classes.
If you registered at your home address (like your family’s house), your polling place will be different based on where you’re registered.
To find your exact polling location, visit: elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup/
Step 5: Bring ID or Sign the Statement
When you show up to vote — whether early or on Election Day — you’ll need to bring some kind of ID. In Virginia, this doesn’t have to be complicated. You can use things like:
- Your student ID from George Mason University,
- A driver’s license,
- A U.S. passport,
- Or another valid government-issued photo ID.
But here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: if you don’t have an ID with you, you can still vote! You’ll just need to sign an ID confirmation statement at the polling place. It’s basically a form saying “Yes, this is me,” and your vote will still count.
For a full list of acceptable IDs, visit: elections.virginia.gov/media/formswarehouse/voter-id/outreach-materials/documents/Voter-Identification-Chart—Revised-07.2025.pdf
For official statewide election info, visit: elections.virginia.gov/
For Fairfax County-specific election info, visit: fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/office-elections
A Final Note from a Fellow Patriot
As Mason students, we talk a lot about leadership, service, and making change — but voting is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to actually make that change happen. Whether you choose to vote by mail, cast your ballot early, or show up on Election Day, your vote matters.
Local and state elections shape the everyday things that impact us as students and young adults: how much funding goes to education, how communities address climate change, what civil rights are protected, and what kind of future we build together.
So here’s the task: take ten minutes this week to double-check your registration, plan how and where you’re going to vote, and remind your friends to do it too. Civic engagement isn’t just for “adults” or “politicians” — it’s for us. This isn’t just another headline. This is our future.
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Slider Photo by: Alexis Glenn/Creative Services
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Disclaimer: This post is intended to provide important voting information for Mason students, but always refer to the official Virginia Department of Elections website for the most accurate and up-to-date voter information and guidelines: elections.virginia.gov