While Election Day is still more than two months away, with the introduction of no-excuse absentee and early voting in the commonwealth, the start of the 2020 election in Virginia is much closer than that, as the first ballots will be cast in just about three weeks.

In-person early voting begins Friday, Sept. 18 statewide, which is about the same time that absentee ballots will begin to be sent by mail to voters who requested them. Early in-person voting continues during regular office hours up until the Saturday before the Nov. 3 election. The Gloucester and Mathews offices will also be open the final two Saturdays before Election Day.

Even after early voting begins, those who aren’t registered can do so and still take part in the 2020 election. The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 13 and registration can be done online (www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal) or in person. Voters can also request their absentee ballot be mailed to them, check their registration status, find their polling place and check on whether their absentee ballot has been received through the same online portal.
With all voters now eligible to participate in absentee and early voting, the process is the same it has always been for absentee voting, said Bobbi Morgan, Gloucester’s Director of Elections and General Registrar.

The only thing that has changed is that now, any registered voter can participate in absentee by mail and early voting. “The steps aren’t new,” Morgan said. “It’s very secure.”

For security purposes, Morgan said, each application and returned ballot envelope is looked at by hand in the Elections and Voter Registration office. Each ballot is checked to make sure it matches with the state Department of Elections’ database. This database is linked to other official voter databases across the country to ensure the voting roster is kept accurate. Also, research is done to ensure that the voter is not deceased, not a felon, not mentally incapacitated, and is still a county resident.

Finally, each absentee voter must fill out an application for a ballot to be mailed to them. Their application is checked in the state database to ensure they are eligible to receive a ballot. As an additional layer of security, each ballot cast through Gloucester’s Ballot Drop Box must be sealed in the provided envelope with the voter’s statement; name, address and signature that is checked and verified with the state database report.

Gloucester’s Elections and Voter Registration Ballot Drop Box is located behind County Office Building One, located at 6467 Main Street. The Drop Box is monitored by security cameras 24-7 and is available 24 hours a day, Morgan said.
While currently located on the back steps, Morgan said that plans are in place to move the box into the parking lot to allow it to be used as a drive-thru in time for the beginning of absentee voting.

“Currently, voters are having to get out of their vehicles and walk up the steps at the back entry of our building or use the ramp,” she said. “The purpose of the Ballot Drop Box is the same as the USPS Drop Box, to ensure all voters have access from their vehicle, but with the added security and guarantee that we will receive the ballot back in time to be counted.

“During this time, we are trying to show the community we care by providing ways to ensure all can vote securely and safely with no in-person contact,” Morgan added. “This project the county is undertaking is highly beneficial to the elderly and at-risk population in our community, many of which may not be comfortable around others risking exposure, given the likely continued sensitivity to COVID-19; we are happy to have this available to our voters and appreciate all the county has done to make sure your ballot counts.”

In Mathews

While Mathews doesn’t yet have a ballot drop box, the Mathews Voter Registrar Office is moving to its new office in the Liberty Square complex (10604 Buckley Hall Road) and will be set up for the beginning of absentee voting on Sept. 18, Mathews Registrar Carla Faulkner said.

“The Electoral Board is very excited to announce this move, which will offer our voters a voting room and a walk-up voting window if they choose,” Faulkner said. “We will be keeping our walk-up window open during normal business hours [8 a.m. to 4 p.m.] all year round.”

The Gloucester Voter Registrar office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the Mathews office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. On the final two Saturdays (Oct. 24 and 31), the Gloucester office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Mathews office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Morgan said it is important to note that once you request an absentee ballot, you are marked as already voting in this election. If you change your mind and decide not to vote absentee, return the ballot unopened in the pre-addressed envelope before Election Day, by using the Ballot Drop Box or bringing it to the polls on Nov. 3.

“Ballots won’t be mailed until mid-September and voters can bring their ballots to the new office,” Faulkner said. “But you have to bring your own ballot. You can’t drop off your husband/wife/neighbors/mom/dad/etc. [ballot].”

Of course, all normal polling locations will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. An acceptable ID is required. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/in-person-voting.

Full voting information and procedures for Gloucester residents is available by visiting the Elections and Voter Registration website at www.gloucesterva.info/349/Elections-and-Voter-Registration or by calling the office at 804-693-3659.

Details for Mathews voters can be found at www.mathewscountyva.gov/251/Voter-Registrar or by calling Faulkner’s office at 804-725-3200.