ABSENTEE VOTING IN VIRGINIA

Absentee Voting

The Virginia Department of Elections encourages voters to protect their health during the COVID-19 outbreak. Voting absentee in the coming local May elections is strongly encouraged. Voters may choose reason “2A My disability or illness” for Absentee voting in the May 2020 elections due to COVID-19. Voters who choose the absentee option should do so as soon as possible so they can get their ballots in time to return them by mail by Election Day. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: Vote.elections.virginia.gov/Voterinformation

GOVERNOR PLANS TO POSTPONE UPCOMING ELECTIONS

For Immediate Release: April 8, 2020
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Alena Yarmosky, Alena.Yarmosky@governor.virginia.gov

Governor Northam Announces Plans to Postpone Upcoming Virginia Elections in Response to COVID-19

Governor delays June primary by two weeks, asks General Assembly to move May elections to November

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today requested the General Assembly move the May General Election and all special elections scheduled for May 5, 2020 to the November 3, 2020 General Election date to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Governor is also exercising his statutory authority (§ 24.2-603.1 of the Code of Virginia) to move the June primary elections from June 9, 2020 to June 23, 2020.

“As other states have shown, conducting an election in the middle of this global pandemic would bring unprecedented challenges and potential risk to voters and those who work at polling places across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Northam. “Making these decisions now will help election officials prepare and implement the necessary changes. This is about protecting the health and safety of Virginians during this pandemic and ensuring our citizens can make their voices heard in a safe, fair, and uniform manner. I urge the General Assembly to do their part and take action to move our upcoming elections.” 

“Free and fair elections are at the core of our democracy and no Virginian should have to choose between their health and exercising their right to vote, said Attorney General Herring. “I’m proud to have worked closely with Governor Northam and his team on a solution that protects both public health and the integrity of our elections.”

Moving the upcoming May elections requires action by the General Assembly. The plan the Governor is proposing includes the following measures:

  • There will be one ballot in November.
  • Voters who are qualified in November will be able to vote in November. An individual who was not qualified in May but is qualified in November will be able to vote.
  • All absentee ballots already cast will be discarded. Virginians will have an opportunity to vote for local elected officials in November.
  • Those officials whose terms are to expire as of June 30, 2020 will continue in office until their successors have been elected on the November 3, 2020 and have been qualified to serve.

For additional resources and information about Virginia’s COVID-19 response, please visit virginia.gov/coronavirus.

CENSUS 2020

This week is Black Census Week, and with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting our day-to-day lives, it is even more critical that there be a full and complete Census count.

Visit 2020census.gov to get started.

The impacts of this pandemic have been compounded for the Black community, but we must not let this moment exclude us from the Census. Now more than ever, your participation in the Census will help determine the level of federal funding our communities receive for the amenities that are so vital to our well-being; such as good roads, schools, libraries, public parks and more.

In these difficult times, one of the most important things you can do is to Be Counted! You can complete the census online, by mail or by phone.