Virginia

Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-705

Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-705.1

Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-700

A voter that is incapacitated due to illness or death of an immediate family member after the seventh day preceding an election can request an emergency absentee ballot before 2 p.m. on the day before the election.

If a person learns they will be absent on Election Day after noon on the Saturday before an election due to business, hospitalization of themselves or immediate family, or the death of an immediate family member, then the voter can request an absentee ballot before 2 p.m. on the day before the election. There is not a specific emergency provision for first responders, but they are listed in general absentee and could fall under the business exception for emergency absentee ballots.

Here is how COVID-19 is affecting Patient Voting in this state:

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Governor Ralph Northam requested the General Assembly move the May General Election and all special elections scheduled for May 5, 2020 to the November 3, 2020 General Election date to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Governor is also exercising his statutory authority (§ 24.2-603.1 of the Code of Virginia) to move the June primary elections from June 9, 2020 to June 23, 2020. More information can be found here.

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Additionally, the Virginia Department of Elections encourages voters to protect their health during COVID-19 outbreak and is strongly encouraging voting absentee in the coming May and June elections. Voters may choose reason "2A My disability or illness" for absentee voting in the May and June 2020 elections due to COVID-19. Voters who choose the absentee option should do so as soon as possible so they can get their ballots in time to return them by mail by Election Day. More information on the absentee voting process can be found here.