COVID-19: How voting is changing in D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia
WASHINGTON — The novel coronavirus outbreak is having a big effect on 2020 elections, as voting has been postponed so far in 10 states and territories. Here's what leaders are doing locally.
D.C.
The D.C. Board of Elections has started a campaign to encourage voters to vote by mail in the upcoming June 2 Primary Election and June 16 Ward 2 Special Election.
“District voters can already vote by mail thanks to our low-barrier, 'no excuse' absentee ballot process. We're taking a huge step forward to get a ballot into the mailbox of every District voter who asks for one while still maintaining some in-person Vote Centers,” said D.C. councilmember Charles Allen.
Twenty vote centers will open throughout the District beginning May 22 and will remain open through June 2. Social distancing measures will be enforced at all vote centers. All locations will open from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. On Election Day, all vote centers will open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. The usual 144 precincts will NOT open on Election Day. Any resident can vote at any vote center. For a list of vote centers CLICK HERE and scroll to page 8.
For the June 16 Ward 2 Special Election, vote centers will open beginning Friday, June 12 and will remain open through Election Day. Social distancing measures will be enforced at all vote centers.
Find more information on the D.C. Board of Elections website.
CLICK HERE for a D.C. election guide.
MARYLAND
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has delayed the 2020 primary election by executive action. The presidential primary election originally scheduled for April 28, 2020, was moved to June 2, 2020. The state is strongly encouraging that people vote by mail.
Voters who prefer to drop off their ballots can do so at these designated ballot drop off locations from Thursday, May 21 through Tuesday, June 2.
If you are unable to vote by mail, you may vote in-person on election day, June 2, 2020, at a vote center in the jurisdiction where you live.
For the latest Presidential Primary Election information, CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE for a Maryland election guide.
VIRGINIA
Governor Ralph Northam postponed Virginia's May General and Special Elections by two weeks, from May 5 to May 19. He had recommended moving May elections to November, but the state senate did not approve that move.
Governor Northam moved the June primary elections from June 9 to June 23.
Northam is encouraging residents to vote absentee by mail, using disability or illness as their reason for voting absentee.
Request an absentee ballot HERE. Deadlines to request absentee ballots be mailed to you are:
- For May 19 election - Tuesday, May 12 at 5 p.m.
- For June 23 elections - Tuesday, June 16 at 5 p.m.
Find more information on the Virginia Board of Elections website.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia has postponed its May 12 primary until June 9.
More information on the West Virginia Board of Elections website.
