All There Is To Know About Local Voting and Elections
Sue Liberman, President of Senior Statesman of Virginia (SSV), emphasized the importance of seniors being informed and engaged in the upcoming election. The purpose of today’s meeting was to provide information and resources to help members feel confident about voting.
Jim Nix, SSV Board member and Treasure, and member of the Charlottesville Electoral Board, reviewed key election dates and deadlines, including:
· October 15th – Last day to register to vote
· October 25th – Last day to request an absentee ballot
· November 2nd – Last day for early voting. Jim stressed the importance of not waiting until the last minute to request and return absentee ballots due to postal service delays.
Jim introduced speakers Lauren Eddy, Albemarle County Registrar, and Taylor Yowell, City of Charlottesville Registrar. The registrars provided an overview of the various voting options and procedures, including:
· In-person early voting at their offices
· Requesting and returning absentee ballots by mail or drop box
· Voting provisionally if issues arise (e.g. lost/misplaced absentee ballot, same-day registration)
They emphasized the importance of voters checking their registration status and polling place; both noting that there are no major changes to voting procedures from previous elections.
The registrars discussed the security measures in place to protect the integrity of the election, including:
· Backup power and contingency plans for technical issues
· Bipartisan observation and oversight of all election processes
· Coordination with emergency management and law enforcement to ensure voter and election official safety
They assured the group that voting will continue no matter what, even in the event of power outages or other disruptions.
President Liberman closed the meeting by encouraging everyone to exercise their right to vote and have their voice heard. She also provided an overview of upcoming Senior Statesman events, including tax preparation tips in November and the annual meeting meeting in December…with a celebration and program focus on
Health, Wellness and Sexuality for the Senior!!