Virginia
Election integrity depends on every American’s vote being counted. To help in that process, many Americans choose to be election officials and poll watchers.
If you’re interested in becoming a poll watcher, you must be an official representative of your party and have authorization with documentation prior to Election Day.
Poll watchers are not allowed in voting booths, voting space, or directly hovering around election workers’ tables. A breach in conduct may result in removal from the premises.
While poll watching is legal in Virginia, voter intimidation is not.
Virginia law strictly prohibits voter intimidation or election interference of any kind. Voter intimidation offenses start at $2,500 and a Class 1 misdemeanor. Code of Virginia. § 24.2-607.
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Voter intimidation includes:
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Confrontation of voters inside or outside of polling place
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Blocking Entry or Exit of Polling Sites
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Physical or Verbal Threats
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Cursing or Offensive Language
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Virginia laws have been so effective at protecting honest and secure elections that no election has ever been overturned.
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Latest Legislation
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Although Virginia already has a track record of secure elections thanks to these protections, lawmakers have recently passed new laws that will expand upon voter’s rights. New legislation, which will especially benefit veterans and the elderly, includes adding more times for early voting, requiring drop-off boxes for absentee ballots, and enhancing vote-by-mail systems.
For more information on Virginia voting laws, check here.
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Voter Registration
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The Virginia Governor Election is underway. Make sure to exercise your right to vote!
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Early voting in-person is open Saturday October 23, 2021 through October 30, 2021 at 5pm. You may walk into your polling place during normal business hours to vote. If you have questions about where to vote, you may find your polling place here.
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You may also vote by mail. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 22, 2021. Anyone can vote this way in Virginia. You can request a mail ballot online or through your local elections office. You can return your mail ballot by placing it in a secure drop box if offered by your county, by US Mail, or by delivering them to the local elections office.
If you need help, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
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Secure elections depend on citizen participation.