Polls will open on Liberty University’s campus for the 2026 Virginia General and Special Election Nov. 3 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Montview Alumni Ballroom.
The election will decide seats in the United States Senate, House of Representatives, Lynchburg City Council and the outcome of three proposed Virginia state constitutional amendments.
The deadline for registering to vote is Oct. 23. Early in-person voting began Sept. 18 and will run until Oct. 31.
Virginia offers same-day voter registration. Students who live on campus may register to vote in Virginia by using their Flames Box number in the residence address line on the form.
President Dondi Costin explained that the opportunity to vote is a privilege and allows students to make a difference.
“We are blessed to be Americans, and one of the blessings of liberty that we enjoy is the opportunity to help elect our government,” Costin said. “Elections are a gift from God.”
Costin urged students to vote in the election.
“It’s one of the blessings of liberty that everyone should participate in,” Costin said. “I strongly recommend everybody vote.”
Students voting in the general election will have the opportunity to vote on three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution in addition to voting on candidates for state and local government.
The first proposed amendment would establish abortion as a constitutional right and significantly lessen any restrictions on abortion. The amendment would also allow more abortions to be performed in the third trimester and remove legal accountability for those who perform or provide abortions.
The second proposed amendment would enshrine same-sex marriage into the state constitution. This would expand the legal definition of marriage and ensure all legal marriages are treated equally. The state would not be allowed to deny marriage licenses based on the physical makeup of the two adults.
The third amendment proposes the full, automatic and immediate restoration of all political rights, including the right to vote, for convicted felons upon release from incarceration. These rights include the right to serve on a jury, to be elected to office, to carry a firearm and to become a notary public.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the proposed constitutional amendments last February, resulting in mixed reception from Virginia politicians.
Liberty encourages students to register to vote whether they live on or off campus.
Associate Director of Government and Community Relations Lauren Whitt emphasized the need for students to impact their communities through voting.
“It takes all of us to make a change,” Whitt said. “We just ask for students, especially students who believe the same faith, that you go out and use your voice, and together, hopefully, we can make a change.”
Designated Liberty staff members who have received ELECT certification training will be tabling on campus throughout the semester offering voter registration. Students may coordinate a meeting time to register in person by emailing vote@liberty.edu.
If a student wishes to register outside of campus, they may visit the Lynchburg City Registrar’s Office to fill out a form in person.
Students who register with an off-campus address must vote at a polling station assigned to that address, which can be located through the Citizen Portal. Students looking to vote in their home state can either travel back home to vote in person or request an absentee ballot. Students will have to look up their state’s specific ballot request guidelines to do so.
While Liberty does not tell students which candidates to vote for, administration encourages students to vote “no” on the abortion and marriage amendments.
Chancellor Jonathan Falwell encouraged students to “vote no” and shared that the proposed amendments go against biblical principles.
“These are clearly anti-biblical, anti-God amendments that we must stop,” Falwell said.
The proposed marriage and abortion amendments go against the foundational beliefs of Liberty University.
For more information about the election or how to vote visit www.liberty.edu/register-to-vote.
Bishop is a news reporter for The Liberty Champion.