By Chas Chappell
Fay Ramsey, a retiree who suffers from a weak immune system, says she welcomes Virginia’s elimination of a requirement that absentee voters need a witness to sign off on their ballots because she doesn’t want to get sick.
“I think it’s better if fewer people are coming in and out of here,” said Ramsey, who lives at the Mayflower, an assisted living facility in Lexington. “We don’t even know what they’re bringing with them. It’s a huge benefit for me.”
Rockbridge County Registrar Sheila Hall said the General Assembly did away with witness requirements last July. The March 5 presidential primary will be Ramsey’s first time submitting an absentee ballot under the new rules.
Ramsey’s friend, Ann Clemmer, who also lives at the Mayflower, said she feels empowered by the change.
“It’s not as easy for us as it would be for others to get to the voting polls,” Clemmer said. “I’m glad we still count.”
Hall said about 500 Rockbridge County residents automatically receive an absentee ballot because of long-term illness or a disability. That means that every election, the registrar sends the absentee ballots to them.
But Hall said voters can ask for absentee ballots each election. During last November’s election, she said about 600 people signed up to receive absentee ballots.
Hall said the elimination of the witness doesn’t threaten the security of elections. Registrars now must run absentee ballots through identity verification procedures, she said.
“The changes actually give mail-ins more security,” she said. “Instead of a witness, it’s more verification here in my office. We’ll open and look at each envelope to make sure it’s got all the right information before it gets sent to be counted.”
About the 2024 primary elections
This year, six candidates will appear on the Republican primary ballot: Former President Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Ryan Binkley. Only Trump and Haley are still in the race.
President Joe Biden, author Marianne Williamson and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips will appear on the Democratic ballot.
Absentee votes must be postmarked or delivered to the registrar’s office at 150 S. Main St. by March 5 to be counted. For more information, visit the registrar office’s website.
Victoria Kelly, another Mayflower resident, said she wishes she didn’t even have to mail in a ballot—or even show up to vote.
“I wish I could just call in and tell them my vote,” she said, “like one of my telehealth calls.”