EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER FIFTY-SIX (2020)

Postponing June 9, 2020 Primary Election to June 23, 2020 Due to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Importance of the Issue

The Commonwealth continues to respond to the threat posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The actions we take now will help protect the health and safety of our citizens for months to come. These actions include when to hold our elections. Voting is a fundamental right and no one should have to choose between their health and safety and their right to vote.

Directive

To continue with the Commonwealth's response to COVID-19 and in furtherance of Executive Orders 51 (March 12, 2020), 53 (March 23, 2020), and 55 (March 28, 2020), and by virtue of the authority vested in me by § 24.2-603.1 of the Code of Virginia, I order the following:

1. The provisions of this Order shall apply to the primary elections scheduled to be held on June 9, 2020.

2. That the primary elections scheduled for June 9, 2020, shall be held on June 23, 2020.

3. Only those candidates who qualified to have their names printed on the official ballot for June 9, 2020, primary election shall be listed for those offices on the ballot for the June 23, 2020, primary election. No other person shall be entitled to qualify to have their name printed on the official ballot for any office that was scheduled to be nominated at the June 9, 2020, primary election.

4. Pursuant to § 24.2-603.1 of the Code of Virginia, only those voters duly registered to vote on the date of the original election shall be able to participate in the postponed election. Therefore, the voter registration deadline for the June 23, 2020, primary elections shall remain May 18, 2020.

5. Pursuant to § 24.2-701.1 of the Code of Virginia, absentee voting shall be available 45 days prior to the date of a primary election. This date is Saturday, May 9, 2020, unless the relevant general registrar's office is not open on May 9, 2020, in which case it shall be Friday, May 8, 2020.

a. Pursuant to § 24.2-701 B 2 of the Code of Virginia, qualified voters shall have until June 16, 2020, to request an absentee ballot.

b. Pursuant to § 4.2-701 B 1 of the Code of Virginia, the last day to vote absentee in person shall be June 20, 2020.

c. Pursuant to § 24.2-709 of the Code of Virginia, the deadline for returning an absentee ballot shall be 7 p.m. on June 23, 2020.

6. The State Board of Elections shall prescribe appropriate procedures to implement the provisions of this section pursuant to § 24.2-603.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date of this Executive Order

This Executive Order shall be effective on April 13, 2020, and shall remain in full force and effect unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, this 13th day of April 2020.

/s/ Ralph S. Northam
Governor