Make a Plan!
One of your most powerful acts of social justice and getting your voice heard in our democracy is voting. Unfortunately, the US has one of the lowest rates of voter participation by registered voters and a low rate of eligible voters registered! So to be sure you vote, we highly recommend that you make a plan to vote.
If you make a plan, you are much more likely to get your voice heard by voting successfully. Especially with the uncertainties of Covid, you need to think through how and when you’ll vote and be sure to plan for contingencies such as weather, childcare, taking time off work, etc. if you’re voting in person. If you're voting by mail, be sure that you allow extra time because of problems with the post office.
I followed my plan and my husband and I voted last Friday, September 18th, on our anniversary! Even though it was the first day, the location in Leesburg had things moving incredibly well. I used to marvel at how lines were managed at Disneyland; you kept moving and never felt like you were waiting. Same here! The lines were outside the building, but we moved constantly until we got inside where they had about 10 stations to check your ID and print your ballot. We then lined up to enter a large room with lots of voting stations, each allowing three voters, separated by mini walls, to vote at the same time. Since I had studied the sample ballot, that part was fast and the entire process took only a few minutes. It didn’t end with riding the Matterhorn at Disney, but rather a great sense of accomplishment. We had our ID’s, masks, social distanced the entire time, and it was quick and safe.
So, let’s get started on what you need to do to make that plan. First…
CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION
Even if you’re sure you are, please confirm your registration or register online to vote. You can do both here. There are also numerous in person registration options. You can register at the local voter registration/election office here. Some public libraries and various government offices also allow you to register to vote, including the Department of Motor Vehicles. You can also find the information in the election’s office link above. Or email me. I’m certified to register voters and have applications to get you registered quickly.
DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 13—BUT REGISTER ASAP TO BE SURE YOUR REGISTRATION APPLICATION IS PROCESSED IN TIME FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.
ABSENTEE OR IN PERSON VOTING? If you want to vote in person on Tuesday, November 3rd, you only need to do a few more things. First, check the location of your polling location while you're checking your registration. With the growth in Loudoun County, and with Covid, there may be changes. You don’t want to get to the polling location you’ve used in the past, only to find you can’t vote there!
TRADITIONAL IN-PERSON VOTING AT YOUR POLLING LOCATION- November 3
If you’re registered and know your polling location, you are all set to vote in person on November 3, 2020 between 6 AM and 7 PM. It will be difficult to gauge how long the lines might be or how the extra sanitation requirements for Covid might impact how quickly lines move, so be sure to plan for enough time. Wear your mask or you won’t be allowed into the polling location. While you don’t have to have a driver’s license to vote, you do need to have an acceptable form of identification which are listed here.
IN PERSON EARLY VOTING-- September 18-October 31…and easy
If you want to vote in person but don’t want to take chances on Election Day, you can vote early like we did at the Leesburg location, which started September 18th. In addition to the office of Elections in Leesburg, there are also three satellite locations in Sterling, Dulles South Senior Center in Chantilly, and Carver Senior Center in Purcellville. For their addresses and days and times they are opened, check here. Please note that not all locations are open every day! The last day for in person early voting is October 31st from 8:30-5 PM. Details on what you need to bring, addresses and hours can be found here.
VOTING ABSENTEE? HOW DO I GET A BALLOT? Track your ballot
You can still request an absentee ballot in person at your local registrar of voters here or by printing and mailing the Department of Elections' application. In past years, voters needed to attest to a valid reason to cast an absentee ballot, such as illness or travel, but the new VA State voter law allows anyone to request an absentee ballot.
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Friday, October 23rd, at 5PM, but you should not wait that long if you want to be sure your ballot gets to you and you have time to cast it in time for the November 3rd.
Mail in ballots are now being sent out to those who requested one. Because of problems with mail deliveries and the uncertainty on funding of the US Postal Service, the Post Office is recommending that you allow for at least 10 days to get your ballot back to the election officials. Although your ballot must be postmarked by November 3rd, DO NOT WAIT that long to mail it back. That is because your ballot must be RECEIVED by November 6th at noon, and the Post Office is recommending you allow at least 5-10 days for mail delivery. You should get that ballot sent by October 30th! Do NOT wait until Election Day to mail it. If you make a mistake while filling out your ballot, don’t worry. Just call the election office at 703-777-0380 and they will get a new one sent to you right away.
Ballots can be mailed back (envelope with prepaid postage is included with all ballots) or you can use UPS, FedEx or the carrier of your choice (address is on the envelopes provided), or you can drop it off at the Office of Elections, 750 Miller Dr SE, Suite C, Leesburg 20175 or at any of the early voting sites listed under IN Person voting above. Ballots must be dropped off during their operating hours. Currently there aren’t drop-off sites in VA or at the option to drop it off at your precinct on Election Day.
Change your Mind about Voting Absentee? If you request an absentee ballot, and then decide you want to vote in person on election day, there are a couple things you need to know. First, you need to bring your absentee ballot with you and surrender that to the election officer. Second, you will likely encounter longer than normal wait times because the election officials will have to do some processing to switch you from an absentee ballot to in-person voting, and you will need to answer a few questions before officials can issue a new ballot. Be sure to read the yellow insert included with your ballot very carefully. It will help you ensure that your ballot is counted. If you indicate that you will need assistance filling out the ballot, you must return the request for assistance form included in your ballot packet or your ballot cannot be counted.
Use the ballot tracker on the Board of Elections website here to ensure that your ballot is received.
What form of identification do I need to vote?
A driver’s license is no longer required, but you'll still need some form of identification or documentation at the polls for all in-person voting. Options now include voter registration documents, utility bills and bank statements. Here's a full list of acceptable forms of identification.
