CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- The Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office is reminding residents there are three ways to vote in the 2020 General Election this November.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, we know that some voters may be looking for safer ways to either vote in-person or cast their ballots privately without encountering large crowds and potentially long lines.” said Chesterfield County General Registrar and Director of Elections Constance L. Hargrove. “Now is the time to start executing your voting plans and making a decision on how you want to cast your ballot for the November General Election.”
Registered voters can cast their vote in one of three ways: Vote by mail, vote early in person, or vote at your polling place on Election Day.
The Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office says the county is anticipating record voter turnout in the 2020 General Election. The office has already fielded more than 20,000 absentee ballot applications from registered voters – up from 18,373 in 2016.
Three ways to cast a ballot in this year’s General Election:
Absentee Ballot Voting
Registered voters seeking to vote absentee by mail must submit a Virginia Vote by Mail Application before they can receive a general election ballot.
Voters can request an application by either calling the Chesterfield Registrar’s Office at 804-748-1471 or by going online to the Virginia Department of Elections’ Citizen Portal.
Ballots will be mailed-out to county voters beginning Friday, Sept. 18.
The last day to request a mailed ballot is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Once you receive your absentee ballot, follow the instructions carefully in voting and returning your ballot.
Voters are encouraged to immediately vote and return their ballots to the Registrar’s Office.
There are several ways to return your ballot:
- Mail your ballot back via the U.S. Postal Service by using the return envelope sent to your residence by the Registrar’s Office. Voters also can use a commercial delivery service such as FedEx or UPS to return your ballot.
- Return your absentee ballot in-person at the Chesterfield Registrar’s Office at 9848 Lori Road, Chesterfield.
- Return your ballot to the following secure drop-off locations during hours of operation:
- North Courthouse Road Library | 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield
- LaPrade Library | 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield
- Meadowdale Library | 4301 Meadowdale Blvd., North Chesterfield
- Matoaca-Ettrick Library | 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield
Your ballot must be returned, or postmarked, to the Registrar’s Office in-person by 7 p.m. Nov. 3.
Early Voting
Registered voters may vote early at the General Registrar’s office beginning Friday, Sept. 18. The office, located 9848 Lori Road, Chesterfield, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; and will be open the two Saturdays (Oct. 24 and Oct. 31) before the election from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Early voting starts at the four County Libraries listed below on Monday, Oct. 19. The Libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday – Friday and will be open the two Saturdays before the election. The Saturday hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- North Courthouse Road Library | 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield
- LaPrade Library | 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield
- Meadowdale Library | 4301 Meadowdale Blvd., North Chesterfield
- Matoaca-Ettrick Library | 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield
Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. is the last day of early voting.
General Election Day Voting
If you cannot early vote or miss the deadline to request an absentee ballot, all of Chesterfield’s polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 for in person voting.
However, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number of voters allowed inside the polling place at any time will be limited to adhere to social distancing and give poll workers time to sanitize machines and equipment for use. All voters are asked to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing protocols.
If you voted early in person or submitted a marked absentee ballot to the Registrar’s office, you can neither cast another ballot, nor change your vote in person on Election Day.
For more information, click here.
