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Releases from VA Department of Elections
Virginia Department of Election Post-Election Report [PDF]
Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONVENES IN VIRGINIA; 13 ELECTORS CAST BALLOTS FOR PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT
RICHMOND, VA – Virginia’s 13
electors met today in the House Chamber of the State
Capitol to vote for president and vice president of the
United States of America. Similar meetings were held in
state capitals throughout the nation today.
The number of electors allotted to each state is based on the number of U.S. representatives and senators from that state. In Virginia, there is an elector from each of the Commonwealth's 11 Congressional districts, in addition to two at-large electors.
Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam gave the welcoming remarks before the roll call of the electors. After the electors were sworn in by Cleo E. Powell, Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, they voted for the offices of President and Vice President separately, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution. All 13 electors voted for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden for president and Sen. Kamala Harris for vice president.
The certified votes, signed by each elector and accompanied by a Certificate of Ascertainment executed by the Governor, were sealed in envelopes and sent to Michael R. Pence, President of the United States Senate, as well as Kelly Thomasson, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Mark S. Davis, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States.
On January 6, 2021, Vice President Pence, as President of the Senate, will preside over a joint session of Congress where each state's Electoral College results will be unsealed and the votes tallied. Once Congress certifies the results, the vice-president-elect and president-elect will be sworn in on January 20, 2021.
The number of electors allotted to each state is based on the number of U.S. representatives and senators from that state. In Virginia, there is an elector from each of the Commonwealth's 11 Congressional districts, in addition to two at-large electors.
Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam gave the welcoming remarks before the roll call of the electors. After the electors were sworn in by Cleo E. Powell, Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, they voted for the offices of President and Vice President separately, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution. All 13 electors voted for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden for president and Sen. Kamala Harris for vice president.
The certified votes, signed by each elector and accompanied by a Certificate of Ascertainment executed by the Governor, were sealed in envelopes and sent to Michael R. Pence, President of the United States Senate, as well as Kelly Thomasson, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Mark S. Davis, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States.
On January 6, 2021, Vice President Pence, as President of the Senate, will preside over a joint session of Congress where each state's Electoral College results will be unsealed and the votes tallied. Once Congress certifies the results, the vice-president-elect and president-elect will be sworn in on January 20, 2021.
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Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING ENDS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
RICHMOND, VA – The last day
for voters to cast early in-person ballots for the
November 3, 2020 General Election is Saturday, October
31, 2020.
All local voter registration offices will be open for at a period of at least 8 hours that day. Voters can contact their local General Registrar’s office for hours of operation. Information about local offices – including location, hours open and how to contact them – is available on the Virginia Department of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov/localGR.
Voters do not have to fill out an application to vote in person. Voters can go to their general registrar’s office or satellite voting location, show ID and cast a ballot. More information about what IDs are considered acceptable can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterID.
Voters that have not returned their mail-in absentee ballots should do so as soon as possible. Absentee ballots may be returned via mail or dropped off at a voter’s general registrar’s office, satellite location or at their polling place on Election Day.
Voters with questions about in-person voting or any other aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at www.elections.virginia.gov.Voters are also encouraged to follow us on Twitter at @vaElect, Facebook at @VirginiaELECT and Instagram at @va_election.
All local voter registration offices will be open for at a period of at least 8 hours that day. Voters can contact their local General Registrar’s office for hours of operation. Information about local offices – including location, hours open and how to contact them – is available on the Virginia Department of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov/localGR.
Voters do not have to fill out an application to vote in person. Voters can go to their general registrar’s office or satellite voting location, show ID and cast a ballot. More information about what IDs are considered acceptable can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterID.
Voters that have not returned their mail-in absentee ballots should do so as soon as possible. Absentee ballots may be returned via mail or dropped off at a voter’s general registrar’s office, satellite location or at their polling place on Election Day.
Voters with questions about in-person voting or any other aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at www.elections.virginia.gov.Voters are also encouraged to follow us on Twitter at @vaElect, Facebook at @VirginiaELECT and Instagram at @va_election.
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Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
REQUESTS FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23; IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING ENDS OCTOBER 31
RICHMOND, VA –
The Virginia Department of Elections announces several
upcoming deadlines for voters wishing to vote absentee
in the November 3, 2020 General Election.
The last day to request an absentee ballot is Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5pm. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, 2020 and received by the local voter registration office by noon on Friday, November 6, 2020. Voters can also drop off their marked and sealed ballots at their general registrar’s office or polling place up to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters no longer need a reason to vote absentee. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot, either in-person or by mail. Voters can request a mailed ballot online at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation or they can contact their local voter registration office and ask them to mail them an application. Voters can track the status of their ballot applications online www.elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation.
In addition to regularly scheduled hours, local voter registration offices will be open Saturday, October 24, 2020 and Saturday, October 31, 2020 for early in-person voting. Early in-person voting ends October 31, 2020. Voters do not have to fill out an application to vote in person. Voters can go to their general registrar’s office or satellite voting location, show ID and cast a ballot. More information about what IDs are considered acceptable can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterID.
If you believe you may not safely have a witness present while completing the absentee ballot for the November 3, 2020 Election, you are not required to have a witness present. Also, if you are blind, have low vision, or have impaired manual dexterity, you have the option of voting an absentee ballot using an electronic ballot-marking tool.
Voters with questions about absentee, mail-in and in-person voting or any aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at elections.virginia.gov. Voters are also encouraged to follow us on Twitter at @vaElect, Facebook at @VirginiaELECT and Instagram at @va_election.
The last day to request an absentee ballot is Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5pm. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, 2020 and received by the local voter registration office by noon on Friday, November 6, 2020. Voters can also drop off their marked and sealed ballots at their general registrar’s office or polling place up to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters no longer need a reason to vote absentee. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot, either in-person or by mail. Voters can request a mailed ballot online at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation or they can contact their local voter registration office and ask them to mail them an application. Voters can track the status of their ballot applications online www.elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation.
In addition to regularly scheduled hours, local voter registration offices will be open Saturday, October 24, 2020 and Saturday, October 31, 2020 for early in-person voting. Early in-person voting ends October 31, 2020. Voters do not have to fill out an application to vote in person. Voters can go to their general registrar’s office or satellite voting location, show ID and cast a ballot. More information about what IDs are considered acceptable can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterID.
If you believe you may not safely have a witness present while completing the absentee ballot for the November 3, 2020 Election, you are not required to have a witness present. Also, if you are blind, have low vision, or have impaired manual dexterity, you have the option of voting an absentee ballot using an electronic ballot-marking tool.
Voters with questions about absentee, mail-in and in-person voting or any aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at elections.virginia.gov. Voters are also encouraged to follow us on Twitter at @vaElect, Facebook at @VirginiaELECT and Instagram at @va_election.
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Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
VIRGINIA VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED BY FEDERAL COURT
RICHMOND, VA – Today, a
federal district judge extended the deadline for
citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia to register to
vote through Thursday, October 15, 2020.
This extension will provide all eligible Virginians with the opportunity to participate in the 2020 November General and Special Elections by registering to vote on or before October 15, 2020.
Eligible Virginians may submit a voter registration application or update an existing voter registration record in any of the following methods:
Virginia Department of Elections Commissioner Chris Piper stated, “The Department welcomes today’s court decision to extend the voter registration deadline through Thursday, October 15th. This gives eligible Virginians additional time to register or update their current voter registration record. We encourage Virginians to access the Citizen’s Portal at elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo today or use one of the many other options available for registering to vote.”
In addition to registering to vote, Virginians may also check their current voter registration status, find their polling location and apply for an absentee ballot on the Department’s Citizen Portal at elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo.
This extension will provide all eligible Virginians with the opportunity to participate in the 2020 November General and Special Elections by registering to vote on or before October 15, 2020.
Eligible Virginians may submit a voter registration application or update an existing voter registration record in any of the following methods:
- In-person to the office of their local general registrar by 5pm on Thursday, October 15th
- By mail postmarked on or before Thursday, October 15th
- Online at elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo through 11:59pm on Thursday, October 15th
- To an NVRA designated state agency, such as the DMV or a social services office, by October 15th
Virginia Department of Elections Commissioner Chris Piper stated, “The Department welcomes today’s court decision to extend the voter registration deadline through Thursday, October 15th. This gives eligible Virginians additional time to register or update their current voter registration record. We encourage Virginians to access the Citizen’s Portal at elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo today or use one of the many other options available for registering to vote.”
In addition to registering to vote, Virginians may also check their current voter registration status, find their polling location and apply for an absentee ballot on the Department’s Citizen Portal at elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo.
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Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
INFORMATION FOR VOTERS ON RECENT CENTRAL VA USPS INCIDENTS
RICHMOND, VA – This morning, the Department
of Elections was made aware that six outdoor mail
collection boxes were broken into sometime between
Saturday afternoon and this morning. At this time, the
United States Postal Service is investigating. Neither
the Department nor USPS has any information about
whether any election mail was contained in the boxes.
Anyone who dropped mail in the boxes at the post offices between 3 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. this morning should contact a USPS hotline at 877-876-2455 to report it. Voters can track their ballot online to see if it has been received by going to "check my registration" at elections.virginia.gov/voterinformation. If a voter needs a new ballot issued, they should contact their local general registrar’s office at elections.virginia.gov/localGR. The following post offices were affected:
Henrico:
Anyone who dropped mail in the boxes at the post offices between 3 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. this morning should contact a USPS hotline at 877-876-2455 to report it. Voters can track their ballot online to see if it has been received by going to "check my registration" at elections.virginia.gov/voterinformation. If a voter needs a new ballot issued, they should contact their local general registrar’s office at elections.virginia.gov/localGR. The following post offices were affected:
Henrico:
- 4990 Sadler Place
- 2000 Starling Drive
- 2100 E. Parham Road
- 7510 Lady Blair Lane
- 1201 Sycamore Square Drive
- 805 Glenburnie Road
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Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
IN-PERSON VOTING STARTS SEPTEMBER 18
RICHMOND, Va. -- The Virginia Department of
Elections announces that in-person voting begins Friday,
September 18, 2020. Also, absentee
ballots will be sent to all voters who have requested a
ballot by mail.
Voters no longer need a reason to vote absentee. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot, either in-person or by mail. Voters can request a mailed ballot online at elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation. They can also find a vote-by-mail ballot form at elections.virginia.gov/forms. Or they can contact their local voter registration office and ask them to mail them an application. Contact information for local registrars can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/localGR.
The last day to request an absentee ballot is Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5pm. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, 2020 and received by the local voter registration office by noon on Friday, November 6, 2020. Voters can also drop off their marked and sealed ballots at a drop off location at their local voter registration office or polling place up to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Early in-person voting ends October 31, 2020. Voters do not have to fill out an application to vote in person. Voters can simply go to their general registrar’s office or satellite voting location, show ID and cast a ballot. More information about what IDs are considered acceptable can be found at elections.virginia.gov/voterID
Because of the anticipated high volume of mail-in votes, The Department of Elections is urging all those who wish to vote by mail to request and return their ballots as soon as possible. Voters can track the status of their ballot applications online at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation. They can also call their local registrar's office to determine the status of their application.
If you believe you may not safely have a witness present while completing the absentee ballot for the November 3, 2020 Election, you are not required to have a witness present. Also, if you are blind or have low vision or have impaired manual dexterity, you have the option of voting an absentee ballot using an electronic ballot marking tool.
Voters with questions about absentee, mail-in and in-person voting or any aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at elections.virginia.gov. Voters are also encouraged to follow us on Twitter at @vaElect, Facebook at @VirginiaELECT and Instagram at @va_election.
Voters no longer need a reason to vote absentee. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot, either in-person or by mail. Voters can request a mailed ballot online at elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation. They can also find a vote-by-mail ballot form at elections.virginia.gov/forms. Or they can contact their local voter registration office and ask them to mail them an application. Contact information for local registrars can be found at www.elections.virginia.gov/localGR.
The last day to request an absentee ballot is Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5pm. Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, 2020 and received by the local voter registration office by noon on Friday, November 6, 2020. Voters can also drop off their marked and sealed ballots at a drop off location at their local voter registration office or polling place up to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Early in-person voting ends October 31, 2020. Voters do not have to fill out an application to vote in person. Voters can simply go to their general registrar’s office or satellite voting location, show ID and cast a ballot. More information about what IDs are considered acceptable can be found at elections.virginia.gov/voterID
Because of the anticipated high volume of mail-in votes, The Department of Elections is urging all those who wish to vote by mail to request and return their ballots as soon as possible. Voters can track the status of their ballot applications online at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterInformation. They can also call their local registrar's office to determine the status of their application.
If you believe you may not safely have a witness present while completing the absentee ballot for the November 3, 2020 Election, you are not required to have a witness present. Also, if you are blind or have low vision or have impaired manual dexterity, you have the option of voting an absentee ballot using an electronic ballot marking tool.
Voters with questions about absentee, mail-in and in-person voting or any aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at elections.virginia.gov. Voters are also encouraged to follow us on Twitter at @vaElect, Facebook at @VirginiaELECT and Instagram at @va_election.
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Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS LAUNCHES ABSENTEE VOTING CAMPAIGN
RICHMOND, VA –
The Virginia Department of Elections wants Virginia
voters to know that they are free to be absentee! The
Department today announced “Free to Be Absentee”, their
new awareness campaign designed to educate voters about
absentee and early voting to avoid the spread of
COVID-19.
The campaign features a series of contemporary and entertaining digital ads and social media content that highlight a creative focus on the absentee and early voting processes. This information will be made available on the Department’s website here, and shared with media outlets across the Commonwealth.
“We are excited about our new campaign and committed to ensuring that all eligible Virginia voters are able to make their voices heard,” said Christopher Piper, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections. “We want voters to know about all of the options they have to cast their ballots for the upcoming election.”
While absentee voting is not new to Virginians, after new legislation passed by the VA General Assembly that went into effect July 1, 2020, Virginia voters no longer need an excuse to vote absentee. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot or go vote early in person.
Absentee ballots will begin being mailed out on September 18th, the same day early voting begins in all localities throughout the Commonwealth.
Voters with questions about absentee, mail-in and in-person voting or any aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at elections.virginia.gov/absentee. Voters are also encouraged to follow us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media platforms.
The campaign features a series of contemporary and entertaining digital ads and social media content that highlight a creative focus on the absentee and early voting processes. This information will be made available on the Department’s website here, and shared with media outlets across the Commonwealth.
“We are excited about our new campaign and committed to ensuring that all eligible Virginia voters are able to make their voices heard,” said Christopher Piper, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections. “We want voters to know about all of the options they have to cast their ballots for the upcoming election.”
While absentee voting is not new to Virginians, after new legislation passed by the VA General Assembly that went into effect July 1, 2020, Virginia voters no longer need an excuse to vote absentee. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot or go vote early in person.
Absentee ballots will begin being mailed out on September 18th, the same day early voting begins in all localities throughout the Commonwealth.
Voters with questions about absentee, mail-in and in-person voting or any aspect of the November 3, 2020 election may call the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745, email the department at info@elections.virginia.gov, or visit our website at elections.virginia.gov/absentee. Voters are also encouraged to follow us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media platforms.
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Virginia Department of Elections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2020
Contact For More Information: Andrea M. Gaines
NEW CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS VIRGINIA’S ELECTION SECURITY INITIATIVES
RICHMOND, VA –
The Virginia Department of Elections announced
today the launch of “Defending Democracy” as
part of the Department’s new marketing campaign,
which conveys its commitment to election
security.
The “Defending Democracy” campaign includes a series of communications featuring members of Virginia’s elections community, including local and state election workers who are key to helping administer elections. The campaign also includes radio, digital video and banners, and social advertising that similarly conveys the Department’s commitment to ensuring election integrity. Examples of the ads from the campaign can be seen here.
Virginians should feel confident that their votes will be counted accurately. The Department of Elections has worked to remove unsecure voting systems from service at the local level and promoted the transition to modern voting systems using voter verified paper-based balloting. Furthermore, the equipment voters use to cast their ballots in Virginia are not connected to the Internet.
“During a time when our society is being overwhelmed by so much misinformation, we are committed to ensuring that we let Virginians know that they can trust the elections process”, said Christopher Piper, Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Elections. “We are thrilled to have a campaign that highlights the work of the Commonwealth’s elections community”.
Ensuring the integrity of our elections has always been and will continue to be a top priority for election officials across the Commonwealth.
“Protecting the vote is Defending our Democracy”, said Piper. “We want Virginians to know that protecting elections is an ongoing process and we are honored to serve the Commonwealth by doing so.”
SECURING YOUR VOTE
The Department of Elections encourages voters to take the following steps to help promote election security and voter confidence:
The “Defending Democracy” campaign includes a series of communications featuring members of Virginia’s elections community, including local and state election workers who are key to helping administer elections. The campaign also includes radio, digital video and banners, and social advertising that similarly conveys the Department’s commitment to ensuring election integrity. Examples of the ads from the campaign can be seen here.
Virginians should feel confident that their votes will be counted accurately. The Department of Elections has worked to remove unsecure voting systems from service at the local level and promoted the transition to modern voting systems using voter verified paper-based balloting. Furthermore, the equipment voters use to cast their ballots in Virginia are not connected to the Internet.
“During a time when our society is being overwhelmed by so much misinformation, we are committed to ensuring that we let Virginians know that they can trust the elections process”, said Christopher Piper, Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Elections. “We are thrilled to have a campaign that highlights the work of the Commonwealth’s elections community”.
Ensuring the integrity of our elections has always been and will continue to be a top priority for election officials across the Commonwealth.
“Protecting the vote is Defending our Democracy”, said Piper. “We want Virginians to know that protecting elections is an ongoing process and we are honored to serve the Commonwealth by doing so.”
SECURING YOUR VOTE
The Department of Elections encourages voters to take the following steps to help promote election security and voter confidence:
- Check your voter registration status to ensure that it is current and/or find your polling place. Virginia provides a secure way for Virginia voters to access their registration information through our citizen portal: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/.
- Only utilize trusted sources such as state and county agencies for election information.
- Follow the Virginia Department of Elections on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Copyright © 2020 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in
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