Super Tuesday In Virginia: Candidates, Deadlines, Absentee Voting

VIRGINIA — Important dates are coming up for Super Tuesday, the March 3, 2020 presidential primary election. In Virginia, a Democratic presidential primary will be held, while Republicans will not hold a primary and will instead choose delegates to send to the national convention. Virginia voters are not registered by party, so any registered voter can vote in the Democratic presidential primary.

Fourteen candidates qualified for the Democratic presidential primary in Virginia:

• Cory Booker*
• Julián Castro*
• Bernie Sanders
• Elizabeth Warren
• Marianne Williamson*
• Michael Bennet
• Joseph R. Biden
• Amy Klobuchar
• Tulsi Gabbard
• Deval Patrick
• Pete Buttigieg
• Andrew Yang
• Tom Steyer
• Michael R. Bloomberg

*Indicates a candidate that qualified for the Virginia primary but has dropped out of the presidential race.

Voters who have a valid reason can apply now to receive an absentee ballot. To apply, fill out the form online or print it out at www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal and mail it to your local registration office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Absentee voting in person will begin on Thursday, Jan. 16, Friday, Jan. 17, or Saturday, Jan. 18, depending on the local voter registration office's hours and observation of the Jan. 17 Lee-Jackson Day. The deadline for in-person absentee voting will be Saturday, Feb. 29.

Reasons to vote absentee in Virginia include:

• Student attending college or university outside of locality of residence in Virginia
• Spouse of student attending college or university outside locality of residence in Virginia
• Business outside County/City of residence on Election Day
• Business outside County/City of residence on Election Day
• I am working and commuting to/from home for 11 or more hours between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Election Day
• I am a first responder (member of law enforcement, fire fighter, emergency technician, search and rescue)
• My disability or illness
• I am primarily and personally responsible for the care of a disabled/ill family member confined at home
• My pregnancy
• Confined, awaiting trial
• Confined, convicted of a misdemeanor
• An electoral board member, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment
• I have a religious obligation
• Active Duty Merchant Marine or Armed Forces
• Spouse or dependent living with a member of Active Duty Merchant Marine or Armed Forces
• Temporarily residing outside of US
• Temporarily residing outside of US for employment or spouse or dependent residing with employee
• Requesting a ballot for presidential and vice-presidential electors only (Ballots for other offices/issues will not be sent)
• Authorized representative of candidate or party serving inside the polling place
• Granted a protective order issued by or under the authority of a court of competent jurisdiction

Virginia voters casting an in-person absentee ballot or voting on Election Day must show an acceptable photo ID. Visit your voter registration office to receive a free voter photo ID. If you don't have an acceptable photo ID at your polling place, you can cast a provisional ballot and be given further instructions so your vote will count.

Voters who wish to cast a ballot on Super Tuesday must register to vote or update voter registration information by Monday, Feb. 10. You can register online, download a PDF copy of the registration form, or visit your local voter registration office.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. You can check your polling place and voter registration status at www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal.