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Everything You Need to Know About Absentee Voting
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- Voting every year, including primaries and special elections, is important.
- It's now legal to vote by mail.
- You can track your ballot. See section 33 below
- Voting by mail prevents someone else from voting in your name.
- Save time—vote from home.
- If you're unable to leave home or are busy on Election Day, voting by mail is an option.
- After you vote early or by mail, political campaigns will stop contacting you.
- You can mail your ballot, drop it off at Early Voting sites, or bring it to the poll in person.
- Your vote matters—without it, we could lose!
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- Visit vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.
- Click on "Apply to Vote Absentee by Mail."
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- As a programmer, this is a pet peeve of mine. When you fill in the Date of Birth field, make sure to use a two-digit month and day, and a four-digit year. Otherwise, you'll get a confusing red error message.
- Despite my complaints, the system still doesn’t accept single-digit months and days. You might want to report this issue to the US Election Assistance Commission.
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- Even if you use the calendar tool, the system may not automatically correct the month and day to two digits.
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- Ensure the date is formatted correctly with two-digit month and day to avoid errors.
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- Don't forget to check the required box, or you'll receive the error message "Affirmation is required."
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- Similar to the checkbox below the red arrow, make sure the box clicked to avoid a red error.
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- Finally, double-check that your information is accurate and check the box stating "I want to apply to vote absentee by mail."
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- Enter your Virginia Driver's License date of birth.
- You must also enter your full Social Security number.
- If you're helping someone, respect their privacy while filling this out.
- Then, check the two boxes.
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- Answer the question about where you live. Most people will select the first option.
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- Then, answer the question about your status.
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- This question is important. Check the box to join the permanent voter list so you’ll get an absentee ballot about 45 days before each election.
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- Check the box to receive a Republican Primary ballot.
- Primaries are often more important than the general election, as they are decided by a smaller number of voters.
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- If you have one of the listed disabilities, select the appropriate option. Otherwise, move to the next page.
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- You can provide your email and phone number so election officers can contact you if needed.
- If you can work at the polls on Election Day, check the box to become an election officer. You'll help protect the integrity of our elections.
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- Review your application before confirming that everything is correct.
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- This screen shows what you'll see if you check the absentee option. You can change your choice here if you want.
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- This is what you will see under the identity verification section.
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- This is what you will see under the contact information section.
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- And this is the electronic signature section.
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- Check the box and submit your application. You’ll receive an absentee ballot about 45 days before each election.
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- This is what your absentee ballot will look like.
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- The back of the ballot will provide basic instructions and tell you where to get help if you have questions.
- Don't hesitate to contact the election office.
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- This similar to what the front and back of your ballot will look like.
- Fill in the square box for each election contest.
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- Inside, you'll find detailed instructions on how to handle your ballot.
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- If someone helps you fill out your ballot, they must complete this form.
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- Place your ballot in the inner envelope, fill out all the information, and sign the Statement of Voter.
- Effective July 1, 2023, a witness is no longer required when voting an absentee ballot by mail. In lieu of a witness signature, voters must provide the last four digits of their Social Security Number and Year of Birth on Envelope B, along with their voter name, signature, and current Norfolk registered residence address.
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- Seal the envelope with the ballot inside.
- Check that you've done everything mentioned in the checklist.
- Then, place your ballot in the return envelope.
- No need for a stamp—the election office pays the postage.
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How to Track Your Mail-in Absentee Ballot
- Go to https://app.ballotscout.org/virginia/search/ and sign up to track your ballot.
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- Go to https://app.ballotscout.org/virginia/search/ and sign up to track your ballot.
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How to Track Your Mail-in Absentee Ballot
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- Pick the ballot you want to track.
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- Choose how you want to receive tracking updates—by email and/or text message.
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- After signing up for Ballot Scout, you'll receive an email. Click "confirm your email."
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- If you signed up for text messages, reply with "Yes" to confirm.
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- A few days after mailing your ballot, you should receive an email like this one.
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- If you signed up for text messages, you should get a message like this one.
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- A few days later, you'll receive a message confirming your ballot has been accepted.
- This means your vote is secure and ready to be counted on Election Day.
- If you don't receive this message, call the election office immediately.
- They treat your ballot as a sacred trust.
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Absentee Voting Myths
- Myth 1: Absentee ballots are not counted unless it is a close election.
Fact: False - Absentee Ballots are tabulated in the Central Absentee Precinct on Election Day. - Myth 2: I have to mail back my absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.
Fact: False - Voters may return their absentee ballots by USPS mail, courier delivery (DHL, Federal Express, UPS, etc.) or in person to our office (City Hall Building) during office hours. Each polling place also has a drop box available on Election Day for voters to return their absentee ballots. - Myth 3: Someone else may return my absentee ballot to the Registrar's Office.
Fact: False - Voters must return their own ballot in person. - Myth 4: Virginia has early voting.
Fact: True - Virginia offers early voting beginning 45 days prior to a General Election or Primary Election. In addition to our regular office hours, the Registrar's office is open the two Saturdays preceding each election for early voting. - Myth 5: Mail Voting and Absentee Voting are the same thing.
Fact: False - Some states offer mail voting which requires the Registrar's office to automatically mail a ballot to each registered voter. Typically, in these states voters will register by Party so that they may receive the correct Primary ballot when Primary Elections occur. Absentee Voting by mail requires the voter to submit an absentee ballot application form to request a ballot to be sent to them. - Myth 6: A Witness is not required when voting an absentee ballot.
Fact: True - Effective July 1, 2023, a witness is no longer required when voting an absentee ballot by mail. In lieu of a witness signature, voters must provide the last four digits of their Social Security Number and Year of Birth on Envelope B, along with their voter name, signature, and current Norfolk registered residence address. - Myth 7: My absentee ballot must be delivered by Election Day to be counted.
Fact: False - Absentee ballots must either be returned in person by the voter by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day -OR- postmarked by Election Day and received by the local Registrar Office by noon on the third business day after the election in order to be counted. - Myth 8: I have to complete an absentee ballot application for every election I want to vote by mail for.
Fact: False - You may indicate on the absentee ballot application form that you want to receive absentee ballots for all future elections. Please be sure to indicate Party preference if you would like to receive a ballot for a Primary Election as Virginians do not register by party.