Fed dollars will help local election efforts

Funds totaling $9 million are being distributed to help Virginia manage the 2020 federal elections.

Last week, the Virginia Department of Elections announced the distribution of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.

The Department of Elections is notifying local voter registration offices that CARES Act funding may be used for a number of expenses related to COVID-19 for the November 2020 federal elections only.

These including spending toward protection of the health and safety of poll workers, staff and voters, as well as costs resulting from anticipated increased demand for absentee ballots by mail costs (printing ballots, printing envelopes, postage, etc.), equipment and temporary staff.

Local voter registration offices may also use the funding for voter outreach to include mailings and public service announcements.

Funds cannot be spent for items that would be needed regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While funds may also be used for obtaining personal protective equipment, the Department of Elections has provided $1 million in PPE and sanitization supplies utilizing state resources for May local elections and CARES Act funding for June primary elections and is preparing to provide PPE for the November election as well. These supplies consisted of masks, face shields, gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfectant for voting machines and other surfaces, precinct protection kits, one-time use folders and one-time use pens for voters to use at polling locations.

The Department of Elections encourages voters to protect their health during the COVID-19 outbreak by voting absentee for all upcoming elections. Voters can go to elections.virginia.gov/absentee to submit an application for an absentee ballot. 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.