Governor Ralph Northam announced last week proposals to expand access to voting for the November 3rd General Election amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. These were unveiled by the Governor during a virtual Joint Meeting of the House Appropriations, House Finance, Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, and will be considered by legislators during the special General Assembly session set to begin this afternoon.

The following three proposals aimed at addressing challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring safe and fair access to the ballot box for the November General Election were put forward:

• Prepaid postage: Governor Northam’s proposed budget sets aside $2 million for prepaid return postage on all absentee ballots sent out for the November 3rd General Election.
• Drop off boxes and drop off locations: The Governor’s proposal includes language expressly permitting localities to use drop boxes or implement drop off locations for Virginians who choose to vote absentee, under security standards to be set by the Virginia Department of Elections.
• Absentee cure process:  This measure will ensure Virginians’ voting rights are protected by allowing them to fix an error on their absentee ballot. Currently, Virginians who make an error are not able to fix that error and therefore their ballot may be discarded. Many Virginians will be voting absentee for the first time this November, and this language will help ensure Virginians’ votes are counted.

The Governor’s proposed budget includes other matters besides secure voting, including funding for measures to:

• Reform policing
• Teach a more accurate version of Virginia history
• Expand safe, affordable housing
• Increase access to high-speed broadband in all areas of the Commonwealth
• Provide resources for urgent dam safety
• Support Virginia’s public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Source:  Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the Governor