Statement: Voting Rights Organizations Encourage Virginians To Return Absentee Ballots In-Person
CONTACT
Maya Boddie, mboddie@advancementproject.org
Deb Wake, deb.wake.lwv.va@gmail.com
Virginia — Advancement Project National Office, Virginia Civic Engagement Table (VCET), and League of Women Voters of Virginia are encouraging Virginia voters to return absentee ballots in person. Because mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, and issues with mail delivery could prevent some ballots from being counted, we strongly recommend voters drop off ballots at their designated polling places, registrars, or drop boxes.
“If you requested a mail-in ballot, it’s time to walk it to your nearest polling place, registrar or drop box,” said Irene Shin, Executive Director of Virginia Civic Engagement Table. “With only four days until the Election Day deadline, mail is no longer a reliable option. Every registrar’s office has a ballot box and on Election Day, your polling place will have one, too. Make sure your voice is heard and deliver your ballot directly. Your vote matters and it’s important to go the extra mile to make sure it’s counted.”
“We want to make sure every voter feels confident in their vote,” said Deb Wake, League of Women Voters of Virginia. “We know that the absolute best way to do that, with less than five days until Election Day, is to cast your ballot in person.”
Sabrina Khan, Deputy Director of Power and Democracy at Advancement Project National Office said, “We are recommending voters walk absentee ballots to their nearest polling place, registrar, or drop box as soon as possible. That way, voters can be certain that their ballots will be received. It would be a shame to have something as minor as a mail issue prevent Virginians from exercising their fundamental right to vote in this critical election.”
###
