Local election offices see uptick in absentee voting ahead of Tuesday’s general elections in VA
Absentee voting has been the way to go for voters in Bristol, VA and Washington County, VA ahead of Tuesday’s general elections.
Derek Lyall, Director of Elections for Washington County, VA, says they have received around 850 requests for absentee ballots for tomorrow’s election for two open seats on Abingdon’s Town Council. Lyall says 1,110 voters turned out for the same election four years ago.
Penny Limburg, Director of Elections for Bristol, VA, reports they have received 1,146 votes already, including 298 who participated in in-person absentee voting at the office’s drive-thru window. Limburg says they average between 1,475-1,500 voters for the type of election taking place tomorrow, the city council and school board election. Two seats are up for grabs in each respective race.
For voters heading to the polls in Bristol, VA tomorrow, officials ask that you wear a mask or face covering along with a photo ID. They also discourage bringing children to the voting precincts, because the voting area is restricted to only permitting five in at one time. All normal precincts will be operating tomorrow and the polls open from 6 a.m until 7 p.m. Officials also have included a list of instructions for voters entering precincts tomorrow, which are listed below:
1. Vote curbside, if you are considered high risk, 65 or older, or feel sick.
2. Wear a face covering
3. Maintain social distance of 6 ft.
4. Stop at designated area at entrance of the precinct and wait to be called (limit of 5 voters inside at a time)
5. Use hand sanitizer before and after voting
“Our elections officers will be wearing masks and gloves and we will have a shield between voters and the check-in staff at our sign in booth,” Limburg says.
In Washington County, VA, Lyall says the election office will provide their officials with personal protective equipment, gloves, and masks in addition to plenty of hand sanitizer on hand with routine cleaning of polling places throughout the day. Polls open in Washington County at 6 a.m and close at 7 p.m. No more than four voters will be allowed in the precincts at one time. More information on Tuesday’s election procedure can be found by calling the Director of Elections office at (276) 676-6227.
