What are the legal requirements for absentee voting?
In Virginia, absentee voting allows citizens to vote without going to the polls in person on election day. To be eligible to vote absentee, you must meet the absentee voting law criteria established by the Virginia State Board of Elections. Firstly, you must be registered to vote in your county or city of residence and not be otherwise disqualified from voting. You must also have a valid reason for voting absentee, such as being absent from your county or city of residence on Election Day, having a disability or illness, or being employed as an election officer outside your county or city of residence. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you must either apply for an absentee ballot in person at your local registrar’s office, or send an application by mail. When applying in person, you must provide a valid form of identification to prove your identity. The application must also include the reason for your request. The accepted forms of identification include a copy of a valid photo ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address. When completing your application, you must sign and date it, and provide your address, date of birth, and the reason you are requesting an absentee ballot. Your application must be received by your local registrar’s office by 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election. Once received, your local registrar will mail you an absentee ballot and instructions for completing it. Once you have completed the ballot, you must return it to your local registrar’s office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
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