Thursday, November 14, 2024

If you still have questions about voting this election season, here’s a quick voter guide with info for the Historic Triangle

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

Here’s what’s been running the news cycle lately: The president and the first lady — along with others in the White House –- have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The development sidelined President Donald Trump’s campaign schedule and puts into question his participation in the second presidential debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

Be that as it may, voting advocates continue to stress the importance of citizens participating in the election process.

So, here’s a quick guide to voting, courtesy of the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area. This includes information for Williamsburg, James City and York counties:

Can I vote?

You must be 18 or older on Election Day, a U.S. citizen, and registered to vote. Register or check your registration status by Oct. 13.

What do I need?

Legislation that repeals Virginia’s law requiring photo identification to vote went into effect July and will be applicable in the general election in November. voters are now allowed to show other documents that display their name and address.

Bring your ID with you when you early vote, if you drop off an absentee ballot in person or if you vote on Election Day.

  • Photo ID no longer required.
  • Acceptable IDs: Virginia driver’s license, voter registration card, utility bill, other documents containing your name and address, employer-supplied ID with photo, or college-issued student ID.
  • Voters who do not have an acceptable ID may sign a sworn ID confirmation.

When and where do I vote?

Vote early in person: Sept. 18 – Oct. 31 | Monday-Friday | Two Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 | Curbside voting available.

You must vote at the early voting location(s) for the locality where you’re registered.

  • Registered in Williamsburg: Williamsburg Municipal Center, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: 401 Lafayette St., 757-220-6157.
  • Registered in James City County: James City County Rec Center, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 5301 Longhill Road, 757-259-4949.
  • Registered in York County:, 6614 Mooretown Road, Suite A or 5300 George Washington Memorial Highway, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 757- 890-3440

Vote absentee by mail

Request a ballot online or by mail before Oct. 23. Use Citizen Portal or call your Voter Registrar. Vote your ballot, put it in the supplied envelope, sign the envelope and return it ASAP:

  • By mail, postmarked no later than Nov. 3. (no postage required)
  • Drop off to early voting location by Nov. 2
  • Take to additional ballot drop off locations for James City County voters by Oct. 30
  • Take it to Registrar’s Office by Nov. 3.
  • Bring it to your polling place on Election Day, Nov. 3.

Your ballot does not need to be witnessed. You may bring someone else’s sealed ballot to a ballot drop box or early voting location.

Vote on election day, Nov. 3: Polls open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Curbside voting available.

Additional ballot drop off locations in James City County:

  • James City County Library, 7770 Croaker Road (Monday-Friday, Oct. 19-Oct. 30; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Abram Fink Jr. Community Center, 8901 Pocahontas Trail (Monday-Friday, Oct. 19-Oct. 30; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; no in-person voting)

Use the Citizen Portal link to check for updates, track your absentee ballot, find your polling place and more.

(WYDaily/Courtesy of the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area)
(WYDaily/Courtesy of the League of Women Voters of the Williamsburg Area)

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John Mangalonzo
John Mangalonzohttp://wydaily.com
John Mangalonzo (john@localdailymedia.com) is the managing editor of Local Voice Media’s Virginia papers – WYDaily (Williamsburg), Southside Daily (Virginia Beach) and HNNDaily (Hampton-Newport News). Before coming to Local Voice, John was the senior content editor of The Bellingham Herald, a McClatchy newspaper in Washington state. Previously, he served as city editor/content strategist for USA Today Network newsrooms in St. George and Cedar City, Utah. John started his professional journalism career shortly after graduating from Lyceum of The Philippines University in 1990. As a rookie reporter for a national newspaper in Manila that year, John was assigned to cover four of the most dangerous cities in Metro Manila. Later that year, John was transferred to cover the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines. He spent the latter part of 1990 to early 1992 embedded with troopers in the southern Philippines as they fought with communist rebels and Muslim extremists. His U.S. journalism career includes reporting and editing stints for newspapers and other media outlets in New York City, California, Texas, Iowa, Utah, Colorado and Washington state.

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