VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Virginia Beach Mayor Robert M. "Bobby" Dyer has declared Election Day a city holiday.
Mayor Bobby Dyer announced Monday that Tuesday, Nov. 3 will now be considered 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."
This action does not change the official city holiday calendar for 2021 and beyond.
Election Day is now a state holiday in Virginia after the General Assembly passed SB601 and it was signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam. State employees can take the day off to vote, but not all municipalities are on board.
A group of elected officials and community leaders gathered Saturday morning and called on four of Hampton Roads' cities, including Virginia Beach, to do the same.
Most city offices and facilities will be closed in observance of Election Day. The following City facilities will be open:
- City parks will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Recreation centers will not be open for any registered fitness activities or swimming. The scheduled childcare programs for November 3 will take place at the centers as planned
- The Virginia Aquarium will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online
- Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Virginia Beach Farmers Market Merchants – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Waste Management services: normal collection for trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulky item services.
- The Landfill and Resource Recovery Center located at 1989 Jake Sears Rd. will be open normal hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For information regarding City services and information, contact VB311 Citizen Services by dialing 311 on landlines or cell phone within the city limits, or click here.