2020 Voter Facts from Botetourt Registrar Traci S. Clark
Botetourt Voter Registrar Traci Spradlin Clark has sent complete information on voting in the 2020 election
By Mail Absentee Voting — As of July 1st, Virginia voters no longer need to provide a reason to vote absente.e. Qualified, registered voters can request to have a ballot mailed to them by completing a “vote by mail” application. Voters who wish to have a ballot mailed to them (vote by mail) can complete an application online at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. Applications can also be requested by calling our office at (540) 928-2120. Ballots will be mailed on/before September 18, 2020 for applications received prior to that date. Applications received after that date will be processed and ballots mailed within 3 days of receipt. Voters are encouraged to apply early to allow ample time for receipt and processing of the application, mailing of the ballot and return of the marked ballot prior to the deadline.
In-Person Absentee Voting — Qualified, registered voters can vote absentee in-person (early voting) beginning Friday, September 18, 2020. The Botetourt County Department of Elections & Voter Registration is located at 2 East Main Street, Fincastle with office hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday – Friday. The office will also be open on Saturday, October 24th and October 31st from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm for in-person absentee voting. Saturday, October 31st is the deadline to vote in-person absentee for the November 3rd General Election.
ID required — Voters are no longer required to present a valid photo identification when voting in-person. Voters are required to provide identification in the form of a voter registration card; driver’s license; current bank statement, utility bill, paycheck, etc. with name and address; US Passport; military ID; employer issued photo id; student ID issued by US university/college. A complete list of all acceptable forms of identification can be found at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/in-person-voting/.
Last date to request a mailed absentee ballot — As of July 1st, the deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot changed from 7 days prior to an election to 11 days prior to an election to allow additional time for handling by the postal service. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot for the November 3, 2020 General Election is Friday, October 23, 2020 at 5:00 pm. Voters are encouraged to request their ballot as early as possible to allow adequate time for processing and mailing for receipt by the deadline.
Return of marked absentee ballot — As of July 1st, all marked absentee ballots must be returned to the registrar’s office either by mail (USPS), commercial delivery service (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) or in person by the voter themselves. A marked ballot cannot be hand-delivered by anyone other than the voter to whom the ballot belongs. Marked ballots being delivered by mail or commercial delivery service must be postmarked no later than Election Day (November 3, 2020) and must be received in the registrar’s office by noon on Friday, November 6, 2020. In person deliveries must be received by 7:00 pm on Election Day.
Voter Registration Deadline — Qualified citizens who wish to register to vote, update their registration due to an address or name change must do so prior to Tuesday, October 13, 2020. In person registration/updates must be completed by 5:00 pm and online registration/updates must be completed by 11:59 pm on that date to be eligible to vote in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Registration or updates to registration can be done in-person in the Registrar’s office during regular business hours or online at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/ .
Election Officers Needed — Elections can not take place without an adequate number of election officers. Any voter registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia is eligible to serve as an election officer in any locality throughout the state. This is a great way to give back to your community while being a very important part of our democratic process. Our roster of officers range in age from 18 to 88 and we are always looking for more voters to add to the list. For more information and forms to be completed, go to https://botetourtva.gov/botetourt/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PEO-FORMS-PACKAGE-combined-1.pdf .
lection Day — Polls open at 6:00 am on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 for in-person voting and will close at 7:00 pm. Voters who are in line at 7:00 pm will be allowed to vote should they be properly registered and are in the correct precinct. Voters are encouraged to allow additional time to vote as turnout is expected to be high. Due to COVID-19 and the associated precautions, voters are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain social distancing within the precinct. Officers of elections may limit the number of voters in the precinct to maintain social distancing. Officers will also be vigilant in cleaning hard surfaces used by voters. Voters with concerns about voting in-person due to COVID are encouraged to request a mailed ballot prior to the deadline.
Traci S. Clark, VREO
Director of Elections & General Registrar
County of Botetourt, Virginia
2 East Main Street, PO Box 62, Fincastle, VA 24090
(540) 928-2120 Office
(540) 473-8657 Fax
