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After the Virginia Senate failed to act on a recommendation from Gov. Ralph Northam to move municipal elections to November, the elections for town council positions in Victoria and Kenbridge will be held May 19.

The election was originally scheduled for May 5. Northam used his statutory authority to delay the election by two weeks. Still, he is encouraging all voters to cast their votes by mail through absentee ballots.

“Virginians should never have to choose between casting a ballot and risking their health,” Northam said. “I am grateful to the House of Delegates for taking action to move our upcoming elections, but unfortunately, the Senate failed to make the same common sense decision. While we strongly encourage every Virginian, who can vote by mail to do so, we will also take every necessary step to conduct these elections in a way that ensures in-person voting is done safely and responsibly.”

Voters may choose reason 2A “my disability or illness” as a reason for absentee voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. General Registrar offices must receive mailed-in requests for absentee ballots for the May 19 election by 5 p.m. May 12. The absentee ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on election day, May 19.

Voters can request online that an absentee ballot be mailed to them by visiting elections.virginia.gov/voterinfo or by downloading and printing a request form at elections.virginia.gov/forms and returning the completed and signed form to their local General Registrar’s office by mail, fax, or scanned attachment to an email.

There has been a change in voting locations in Victoria. For those choosing to vote in person, the Victoria polling location has been changed from the Victoria Fire and Rescue Building to People’s Community Center, 1021 Tidewater Avenue in Victoria.

Deb Wake, president of the League of Women Voters of Virginia, said the organization supports the governor’s decision.

“Postponing these elections to May 19 is the right decision,” Wake said. “This will help voters cast their ballots in greater safety. Even two weeks can give election workers more time to prepare for social distancing at the polls.”

Only individuals who were eligible to vote May 5 may participate in the elections May 19, and no new candidates are eligible to participate in the postponed elections.

The deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration for the May 5 elections has passed.