Signed by Governor Ralph Northam

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funds for prepaid postage on all absentee ballots.

Highlights:

• Requires mailed absentee ballots for the November 3, 2020, general and special elections to be returned (Sec. 1):

• By mail to the office of the general registrar; 

• By the voter in person to the general registrar; 

• To a drop-off location; or

• By commercial delivery service.

• Requires the general registrar to include with the absentee ballot an envelope, properly addressed and postage prepaid, for the return of the ballot to the general registrar by mail for the general and special elections on November 3, 2020 (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates $2 million to localities for financial assistance for the 2021-2022 fiscal year (Sec. 1).

• Requires the appropriated funds to be used to offset the cost of prepaid postage for mailed absentee ballots (Sec. 1).

• Requires each general registrar to examine the ballot envelopes to verify completion of the required voter affirmation for the general election and special elections on November 3, 2020, upon receipt of an absentee ballot returned before October 31, 2020 (Sec. 1).

• Requires the establishment of a ballot drop-off location at the office of the general registrar and each voter satellite office prior to the election and a drop-off location at each polling place on the day of the November 2020 election (Sec 1).

• Requires the general registrar to post notice of all ballot drop-off locations (Sec 1).

• Requires the general registrar to notify voters of any procedural absentee ballot errors within 3 days (Sec 1).

• Authorizes a voter to make necessary corrections before noon on the third day after the election (Sec 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates funds for prepaid postage on all absentee ballots.

Highlights:

• Requires mailed absentee ballots for the November 3, 2020, general and special elections to be returned (Sec. 1):

• By mail to the office of the general registrar; 

• By the voter in person to the general registrar; 

• To a drop-off location; or

• By commercial delivery service.

• Requires the general registrar to include with the absentee ballot an envelope, properly addressed and postage prepaid, for the return of the ballot to the general registrar by mail for the general and special elections on November 3, 2020 (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates $2 million to localities for financial assistance for the 2021-2022 fiscal year (Sec. 1).

• Requires the appropriated monies to be used to offset the cost of prepaid postage for mailed absentee ballots (Sec. 1).

• Requires each general registrar to examine the ballot envelopes to verify completion of the required voter affirmation for the general election and special elections on November 3, 2020, upon receipt of an absentee ballot returned before October 31, 2020 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text