​AG Jones issued an Opinion, addressing the roles and responsibilities of local governing bodies, local electoral boards, and general registrars in implementing early voting for the Virginia Constitutional Amendment Referendum on Redistricting.

The Opinion makes clear that electoral boards and general registrars are required under Virginia law to provide for in-person absentee voting beginning 45 days prior to Election Day. It also makes clear that these entities have no discretion to delay, or fail to initiate early voting on that timeline, absent a valid court order expressly enjoining such administration issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“Under Virginia law, electoral boards and general registrars must provide for in-person absentee voting beginning 45 days prior to Election Day and possess no discretion to delay or fail to initiate voting on this timeline outside a valid court order expressly enjoining such administration and issued by a court of competent jurisdiction,” – AG Jones