I voted early yesterday first time ever (dropped off my ballot)!

[lagomorph777]

Thanks to everybody turning out in 2019, we've flipped the legislature in VA, and early/absentee/mail voting is now legalized. For the first time in my long life, I was able to vote early. It was nerve-wracking to figure out all the processes and make sure I got every single detail right, but well worth the effort.

[LisaL]

1. Cool.

Does VA have drop boxes or where did you have to drop it off?

[drray23]

3. You can drop off your ballot at the registrar office, you can even vote absentee in person there.nt.

[lagomorph777]

4. Well, a drop box at the County Registrar's office.

Not exactly widespread, but at least I didn't have to brave the long line of early in-person voters.

The drop box legislation (with funding) arrived too late (Sep 4th) to have a lot of practical impact, but I'm hopeful it helps our next state election, which is next year.

[drray23]

2. we had early absentee and mail voting for years.

It has nothing to do with 2019. The only thing that changed is now you no longer need to specify why you want to early vote. Before that you had to state that you would be traveling or at work or something similar on election day to vote early.

We also voted absentee in person yesterday and in my little rural county there was a line at the registrar.

[lagomorph777]

5. In VA, you had to have a damned good "excuse" and for practical purposes, it was nonexistent.

I've lived here most of my life; I have looked into it in prior years due to a disabled spouse, but the rules were too stringent to help her.

[drray23]

6. nonsense.

I am also a Virginian and I voted absentee in person in 2016. All I had to do is say I was traveling that day for business. They did not ask for justification or documents, just that I certify it. It certainly was an option for disabled people as well.

[lagomorph777]

7. The changes are major and real. I was not going to take chances and lie in prior years.

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/media/electionadministration/electionlaw/2020-Changes-to-Virginia-Election-Laws.pdf

https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/virginia-legislators-approve-drop-boxes-prepaid-return-postage-for-absentee-ballots/article_48f8df6d-b06a-5286-b82c-cbf44d916445.html

This year's fair election process has EVERYTHING to do with 2019.

[drray23]

8. I agree that it will make it much easier.

Its an excellent change. I can already see that from the lines of voters at the registrar. Also, many people I talked to did not have any idea it was even possible to apply to do so before (even if as you stated, you had to provide a valid excuse).