Absentee Voting – VA S 552 – Notary Signature Needed

Absentee Voting
Relates to absentee voting; provides that excuse required to vote absentee by mail; provides that signature match; requires a registered voter to provide a reason for being absent or unable to vote at his polling place on election day in order to receive an absentee ballot to vote by mail; the bill requires a voter voting absentee by mail to open his ballot in the presence of a notary who must sign the ballot return envelope; requires that the general registrar match the signature of the/.
Analysis: 1. This bill lists the registered voters who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot.
2. This bill requires a federal write-in absentee ballot to be notarized.
3. This bill requires the envelope containing an absentee ballot to contain the wording “Ballot within. Do not open except in presence of a notary” and requires a voter to follow this instruction.
4. This bill provides that when the voter’s statement on the absentee ballot envelope is signed, dated, and signed by a Notary, the ballot shall not be subject to challenge.
5. This bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
Issue: Elections