What are the requirements for absentee voting?

In Virginia, absentee voting is a process that allows citizens to vote without being present at a polling place on election day. To vote absentee, a voter must meet certain qualifications and follow specific steps. First, a voter must meet one of several qualifications in order to be eligible. These include being a military or overseas citizen, having a disability that prevents them from making it to the polls, expecting to be absent from the county or city on Election Day, having a conflict with religious obligations, or being in jail awaiting trial or after conviction, but not yet sentenced. Once eligibility is confirmed, the voter must fill out, sign, and return an absentee ballot application. This form must be received by the local general registrar no later than five p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day. After the application is received, the registrar will mail out a ballot to the voter for the upcoming election. Once the voter receives the ballot, it must be filled out, signed, and returned to the local general registrar by 7 p.m. on Election Day. For overseas and military voters, the postmark date of the ballot is the date of the election. The ballot must be returned in the provided ballot envelope and include a copy of valid identification. Absentee voting is a way for Virginia residents to make their voices heard even if they are not able to make it to the polls on Election Day. Anyone eligible should take advantage of this option to exercise their right to vote.

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