Thursday, March 28, 2024

Coronavirus: City Council elections allow for more absentee voting

WYDaily file/Courtesy of Unsplash)
WYDaily file/Courtesy of Unsplash)

With the Williamsburg City Council election approaching in May, the Virginia Department of Elections is allowing for more absentee voting.

The city announced Monday that all eligible voters can now request an absentee ballot by mail for the May 5 election by selecting the disability or illness option as the reason.

The Virginia Department of Elections is encouraging voters to vote absentee for May 2020 elections in order to protect public health from the coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of Monday, there are 73 positive cases in James City County, 18 in Newport News, 11 in York County, 9 in Hampton, 7 in Williamsburg and 2 in Poquoson, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s website.

There are 1,020 cases statewide and 25 deaths. Eight people from the Peninsula Health District have died from the coronavirus.

The Peninsula Health District covers Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County. The Hampton Health District covers Hampton.

Eligible Williamsburg voters can register to vote, update their voter registration and request an absentee ballot online. To request an absentee ballot online, follow these steps:

  • Visit the Virginia Department of Elections online
  • Enter your information
  • Follow the on-screen prompts
  • Choose the absentee option, “I have a reason or condition that prevents me from going to the polls on Election Day”
  • Choose the absentee ballot reason, “my disability or illness”

Those voting absentee will need their Social Security No. and Virginia driver’s license No. or Virginia DMV identification No. to attach to the electronic signature of the application.

If a Virginia DMV No. is not provided, the applicant will have to print, sign and submit the form for processing. The application can either be mailed to PO BOX 3538 Williamsburg, VA 23187 or emailed to the Director of Elections at treitzel@williamsburgva.gov.

For those who don’t have access to internet, the Voter’s Registrar’s office can be reached at 757-220-6157.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on April 28.

The deadline to register for the May 5 election is April 13 at 5 p.m. in person or by 11:59 p.m. online.

While all city offices are set to remain closed until April 23, the city’s Office of Elections is still finding ways to register and request absentee ballots for eligible residents.

The Williamsburg Office of Elections will be providing curbside services between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. To receive service, residents should park in the lot of the Municipal Building and call the office at 757-220-6157 and a staff member will come out for assistance.

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Alexa Doiron
Alexa Doironhttp://wydaily.com
Alexa Doiron is a multimedia reporter for WYDaily. She graduated from Roanoke College and is currently working on a master’s degree in English at Virginia Commonwealth University. Alexa was born and raised in Williamsburg and enjoys writing stories about local flair. She began her career in journalism at the Warhill High School newspaper and, eight years later, still loves it. After working as a news editor in Blacksburg, Va., Alexa missed Williamsburg and decided to come back home. In her free time, she enjoys reading Jane Austen and playing with her puppy, Poe. Alexa can be reached at alexa@localvoicemedia.com.

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