Williamsburg city officials are asking eligible voters to use online services such as requesting absentee ballots for the May 5 election in light of the coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak.
As of Tuesday, there is one positive case of the coronavirus in Williamsburg and a total of 14 cases in the Peninsula Health District, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s website.
City offices including the Office of Elections are still closed to the public through March 29 but Williamsburg residents who want to vote in the May 5 elections have other options.
Officials said residents can go online to register to vote, update voter registration or request an absentee ballot. The deadline to register for the May 5 elections is Monday, April 13 at 5 p.m. in-person or 11:59 p.m. online. Click here to view a sample ballot.
No internet access? Contact the Voter Registrar’s office at 757-220-6157 and an application will be mailed to you.
In addition, the city’s Office of Elections will offer curbside services starting March 20 during normal business hours.
Those who wish to use the services can park in Municipal Building Parking Lot, 401 Lafayette St., and call the office at 757-220-6157.
Voters can also request an absentee ballot by mail and can pick the “2A My disability or illness” option if they do not have qualifying reasons. The deadline is Tuesday, April 28 at 5 p.m.
In a message on its website, the Virginia Department of Elections encourages voters to protect their health during COVID-19 outbreak, noting “voting absentee in the coming local May elections is strongly encouraged.”
City staff
City Manager Andrew Trivette sent eligible city employees home to telework on Tuesday at noon, but some employees still have to work on-site, according to the city’s news release.
“Because the water treatment plant must be staffed 24-hours a day, a work separation policy, meaning employees on duty must work away from each other, has been instituted until the spread of COVID-19 is stabilized,” according to the news release. “Public safety and first responders such as police and fire employees are also observing work separation and disinfecting vehicles and equipment regularly.”
The city’s “Information and Rumor Control” hotline (757-259-7200) is now staffed 24/7.
Closings
Waller Mill Park is now closed through March 29 and all park playgrounds are closed.
The following city meetings are canceled as of Tuesday:
- Planning Commission meeting, scheduled for March 18.
- Architectural Review Board ARB meeting, scheduled for March 24.
- Neighborhood Relations Committee NRC meeting, scheduled for March 24.
- Planning Commission Work Session scheduled for March 25.
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