VCC Magazine Summer 2020

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S ummer 2020 20 Virginia Elections will undergo a number of significant changes ahead of the November 3rd, 2020 Presidential Election. The most significant of these changes is the introduction of No-Excuse Absentee Voting which will create the longest Early Voting period in the United States. Additionally, several changes were made to the deadlines surrounding when a ballot can be requested and when a ballot can be returned. Early Voting With the passage of HB1 during the 2020 General Assembly session Virginia will now be offering three distinct ways in which all eligible voters can choose to vote. Vote by Mail Absentee Voting by Mail has existed in Virginia since the 1800s in various forms. Beginning on July 1st, 2020 any registered voter who chooses may submit an application to receive a ballot through the mail. Ballots will be issued on or before September 18th, 2020. To request an Absentee Ballot by Mail contact your local General Registrar or apply online at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov Vote Early in Person Early No-Excuse Voting will be available in all localities beginning September 18th, 2020. Any registered voter who chooses may appear in person at the General Registrar’s Office, or a satellite voting location, and cast their ballot during the 45 days prior to the November 3rd, 2020 Presidential Election. In Person Absentee Voting will begin on September 18th and end on October 31st. Information regarding Early Voting locations in your community can be obtained from your local General Registrar. Election Day In-Person Voting In-Person voting will continue to be available at all regular polling locations on November 3rd, 2020. Precincts will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. To find out where you vote on Election Day contact your local General Registrar or visit the Virginia Department of Elections website at https://elections. virginia.gov Permanent By-Mail Voting In addition to the expansion of Absentee Voting, beginning on July 1st, 2020 any registered voter can request to receive an Absentee ballot by mail for all elections in a calendar year. (HB 240). Beginning on July 1st, 2021, all registered voters can request to receive an Absentee Ballot by Mail permanently for all elections (HB 207). Deadline Changes Several new laws that became effective this year adjust the deadlines surround Absentee By-Mail Voting. Returning By Mail Ballots HB 238 and SB 455, extended the period in which an Absentee Ballot can be returned by mail. Absentee Ballots returned by mail must now be postmarked no later than Election Day (November 3rd, 2020) and must be received by the General Registrar by noon on the third after Election Day (November 6th, 2020). Requesting a By Mail Ballot HB 239 changes the deadline from 7 days prior to Election Day to 11 days prior to Election Day for Absentee by Mail request to be received. Requests for a by mail ballot must be received by the General Registrar 11 days prior to Election Day (October 23rd, 2020). In addition to the impacts of expansion of voting opportunities beginning this year, this November’s election will also coincide with a worldwide pandemic. COVID 19 has created significant new challenges for the administration of Elections. Our ever-present need for volunteers to serve as Officers of Election is compounded this year due to a high percentage of current officers being in a high-risk category. Additionally, to ensure the safety of Officers of Election and Voters alike, new procedures and resources are needed to limit the spread of the virus. Officers Of Election Virginia will need 1,000s of volunteers to serve as Officers of Election in all 133 localities across the state. Officers are needed to serve in various roles at Early Voting satellite locations, inside the General Registrars offices with by-mail voting, and at precincts on Election Day. To volunteer to serve your community as an Officer of Election please contact your local General Registrar or apply online at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/officer-of-elections/ Protective Equipment & Procedures During the May Municipal Elections and the June Primary Elections, the Virginia Department of Elections provided localities with much needed personal protective equipment (PPE). We anticipate needing thousands of more PPE during the November Election. The PPE utilized by our Officers of Election and staff are gloves, masks, and face shields. Additionally, we need single use pens and privacy folders for ballots. Sanitation supplies needed include hand sanitizer, cleaning solutions, and alcohol wipes. Social distancing ground markers and plexiglass barriers are also needed to ensure the safety of both voters and Officers. Medical Reserve Corps In addition to Officers of Election, Virginia also has volunteer positions available with the Medical Reserve Corps for medical professional and interested citizens to serve during the Election as Infection Prevention Specialists. For more information and to volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps, please apply online at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/mrc/. A summary of important deadlines is listed below. For more information regarding the upcoming November 3rd Presidential Election more information is available online at the Department of Elections’ website https://elections.virginia.gov or by contacting your local General Registrar. Allison J. Robbins is Director of Elections and General Registrar, and a Certified Va. Registered Election Official (VA-171). She is President of Voter Registrars Association of Virginia; P.O. Box 309; Wise, Virginia 24293; (276) 328-8331 Deadlines Date Time Voter Registration Deadline October 13th, 2020 5:00 PM Absentee (Early) Voting Begins September 18th, 2020 Varies by Locality Absentee Vote By Mail Request Deadline October 23rd, 2020 5:00 PM Absentee (Early) In Person Deadline October 31st, 2020 Varies by Locality Election Day November 3rd, 2020 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM Important Deadlines Changes Ahead for Virginia Voters By Allison J. Robbins V