News Flash

Oct. 6, 2021 — Voters this year have more options than before Covid-19, but one pre-Covid-19 rule has returned: Absentee ballots must be signed by a witness. The General Assembly changed many of the state’s voting rules, chiefly: 

• Anyone can vote absentee without declaring a reason (first-time voters may not qualify); and
• Early voting (or absentee voting in person) is allowed.

However, the rule requiring a witness to sign an absentee ballot is in force again, after being suspended during the state of emergency for Covid-19. Registrars throughout Virginia are seeing increasing numbers of ballots without a witness, which makes the ballot incomplete and therefore invalid.

A few other reminders:

• If you are returning your ballot in person, the registrar is now located at the Old Circuit Courthouse, 101 Kings Way, Hampton, VA 23669. The office is accessible from the side entrance, and there is a dropbox open during business hours.
• Anyone who will turn 18 by Tuesday, Nov. 2, can register to vote.
• The deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 12.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.
• In-person early/absentee voting has begun Monday-Friday at the registrar's office from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. There will be additional days on Saturday, Oct. 23 and 30, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and on Sunday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Absentee ballots must be received by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, if delivered in person, or must be postmarked by Election Day and received by noon Nov. 5.

For links, phone numbers and more voter information, go to hampton.gov/vote.