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Getting divorced during a pandemic? Congrats! It’s even more challenging than usual and if your divorce involves a legal name change, you might have concerns about your voting rights. I did. I re-registered to vote today and learned a few things. Thread.
There is no way for me to use court documents to obtain a new Driver’s license or SSN card before the deadline to register due to pandemic-related operating limitations for in-person appointments.
However, you can go to your Registrar’s office and complete a new voter registration application without any documentation. Just make sure that your notarized divorce decree from the court explicitly indicates the legal name change (some do not).
I applied for a mail-in ballot months ago with my old name. The Registrar was able to override that request today and then offered me the opportunity to apply for another mail-in ballot with my new name. With the USPS under attack by this Administration, I declined.
But I’m still at the mercy of whatever happens to the USPS because now I have to wait for my new voter registration card to arrive in the mail. That will be the one and only form of ID available to me when I show up to vote early (in-person absentee).
What happens if your divorce and name change is finalized between the voter reg. deadline and Election Day? You should still be able to vote using your married name and presenting an ID with that name.
Upshot. Contact your local Registrar to ask questions. Find them here: http://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/PublicContactLookup
Finally, if you are leaving a violent marriage. I see you. I know it’s hard and it will continue to be hard but you’re doing great. You’re here, you’re getting out, you got this. You and I know that our system is broken.
We can’t fix the problems we refuse to see. @JoeBiden ‘s work on the Violence Against Women Act and its renewals to include more protections for Native women, immigrants and the LGBT community is just one of the many reasons I will continue to work hard to get him elected.
And make damn sure that my vote (and yours) will count. We’ve already survived abuse. No more. Not from this President. Not from anyone. Claim your safety, claim your voice. Go vote.
And if you want out but can’t get free, I see you too. It hurts to dial this number, I know, but there are experts here who can help you make a plan or just listen. https://www.thehotline.org/
