Absentee voting permitted for June primaries, judge rules

Judge Norman K. Moon of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia approved Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring’s agreement that will allow absentee voting by mail in the upcoming June 23 primary elections.

The state will accept absentee ballots without the signature of a witness “for voters who believe they may not safely have a witness present while completing their ballot.”

Currently, Virginia voters choosing to vote absentee must open, mark, and refold their ballot in the presence of a witness, and then have the witness sign their ballot envelope.

In light of COVID-19, this witness requirement would effectively bar many voters from the ballot box because the coronavirus is spread during close interpersonal contact, Herring said.

“No Virginian should ever have to put their own health and safety at risk to exercise their right to vote,” he said.

The Republican Party of Virginia had intervened in the case to oppose the proposed agreement.

League of Women Voters of Virginia President Deb Wake was happy with the outcome of the case. The LWV had brought legal action challenging the witness requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are pleased the court saw the pressing need for relief for Virginia voters,” said Wake, “Because of today’s decision, voters will be able to cast their ballots in safety without risking their health to locate a witness.”

Voters may request their absentee ballots from the Virginia Department of Elections or at https://www.vote411.org/.