UPDATE 4/25/20

Gov. Northam has postponed the May 5th elections until May 19th. This moves the deadline to request absentee ballots by mail until May 12th.

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While not all jurisdictions in Virginia have May Elections, the Coronavirus presents some challenges for those who do. Regularly Scheduled Elections in May, Special Elections in May

Deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you isTuesday, April 28, 2020. Your request must be received by your Registrar by 5:00 p.m.

The Dept. of Elections in Virginia has annouinced that COVID-19 is a valid reason for voting absentee. To do so, be sure to use reason “2A – My disability or illness.” The Dept. strongly encourages voter to vote by mail in the May municipal elections. There is a notice on their website page for Absentee Voting that displays:

The Virginia Department of Elections encourages voters to protect their health during COVID-19 outbreak. Voting absentee in the coming May and June elections is strongly encouraged. Voters may choose reason “2A My disability or illness” for absentee voting in the May and June 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. Apply online for a Virginia absentee ballot

Possible alternatives for in-person absentee voting remain in the air. One option being evaluated is curbside voting.

These May elections are very important as hundreds of municipal and school board seats will be on ballots.

The bill just passed by the General Assembly allowing for 45 days of excuse-free early voting will apply to the November election but NOT to the May elections.

There, I believe I’ve covered the basics but most important is that April 28^th is the deadline. If you plan on voting by mail in your May elections, then be sure you get your request in by the deadline. You can go to the Absentee Voting page to apply online for a Virginia Absentee ballot. Paper versions of the form can be found at Virginia Absentee Ballot Application

However you choose to do it, just please vote.