Virginia Beach Mayor Robert M. "Bobby" Dyer has declared that Election Day on November 3, 2020, is now a city holiday, allowing for city employees to schedule a time to vote on Tuesday. The change does not affect the city holiday calendar past this year.
Governor Ralph Northam recently signed a law declaring Election Day a statewide holiday after the General Assembly passed S.B. 601, meaning state employees are able to take the day off to vote. However, WTKR reports, not all municipalities were on board, including Virginia Beach. Members of the community and some elected officials called on Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach to allow city employees the day off to vote.
Mayor Dyer announced his decision on Monday (October 26) to make November 3 a city holiday.
"We heard requests from community leaders to make Election Day a City holiday, and after considering the many challenges the pandemic poses on our voting process, it seems prudent to take this step," said Mayor Dyer. "We want to ensure as many City employees as possible are able to exercise their rights to vote."
Election Day is November 3. Early voting in Virginia runs through Saturday, October 31. For more information about the election or how to vote, visit here.
Photo: Getty Images