Absentee voting for the Nov. 5 general election has begun, and the deadline to register to vote is fast approaching.

Suffolk Voter Registrar Susan Saunders said only a couple of voters have taken advantage of absentee voting so far, but the process likely will speed up as the election gets closer.

In order to vote by absentee ballot in Virginia, voters must be registered to vote in Virginia and meet one of the eligibility requirements listed on the application. Those who will be absent from their locality of residence because of a vacation, personal or work-related business, military service or school or will be unable to get to the polls because of pregnancy, illness, disability, work, incarceration, religious obligation or political work on the day of election are eligible.

Absentee applications, which are available at the voter registrar’s office at 440 Market St. or online at www.sbe.virginia.gov, must be mailed or faxed to the general registrar’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. Absentee applications may be completed in person at the general registrar’s office no later than Nov. 2.

The deadline to apply to register to vote in Virginia for the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 15. Residents are encouraged to check their registration status and polling place on the State Board of Elections website or by calling the Suffolk voter registrar’s office at 514-7750.