Census participation critical for seniors, deadline moved up to 9/30/20

The US Census Bureau has moved up the final deadline for getting counted in the 2020 census to September 30, 2020. That means you have one month less than previously announced to complete your census.

Seniors are among the most important West Virginians to get counted because so many of our programs and services for seniors are funded in part by federal dollars. Federal funding is distributed across the country through formulas that are based on these census figures.

So the more seniors who get counted in West Virginia the higher our share of federal funding for many programs for seniors like home delivered meals, transportation, and home care.

It's a crime to refuse to participate in the census, though we have never heard of anyone actually being prosecuted for it.

If you haven't completed your census yet for whatever reason, you still have time, but not much. You can submit your information online or find out how to submit it by phone or mail by going to https://my2020census.gov/

Absentee voting, deadlines, and other election stuff

The general election is November 3, 2020, not so far away. Like in the primary election this year, you can choose to vote absentee in the general election in WV if you want to avoid the possibility of getting exposed to the coronavirus at the polls.

Unlike in the primary election, however, you will not automatically get a postcard with the application for you to complete to request an absentee ballot. This time you will have to get your own WV Absentee Ballot Application. You can either enter your request online at https://sites.omniballot.us/54/absentee/app/home or you can download at https://sos.wv.gov/FormSearch/Elections/Voter/Absentee%20Ballot%20Application.pdf  If you are at least 60 yrs old and need help downloading or printing an application for absentee ballot you can call WV Senior Legal Aid at 1.800.229.5068.

The official deadline for you to get your application for absentee ballot submitted is October 28, 2020. 

But there are practical concerns about the time it may take for your mailed application to arrive, so you risk missing that deadline if you cut it too close. According to the WV Secretary of State's office "Absentee applications received after October 28, even if postmarked, cannot be accepted by law." 

Your completed absentee ballot must be postmarked no later than November 3, 2020 to count. If you change your mind after receiving your absentee ballot and want to go vote in person, YOU SHOULD BRING YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT WITH YOU to the polls. It must be destroyed there before you vote in person, or you'll have to vote a challenge ballot. It's complicated.

Another option to avoid crowds on election day is to early-vote in person. Early voting in person can be done from October 21 through October 31, check with your county courthouse for locations and times.

Older West Virginians, your vote is important. Your need to protect yourself from infection is important, too. Contact WV Senior Legal Aid at 1.800.229.5068 if you are at least 60 yrs old and have concerns or questions about election procedures or your rights.

WV DMV: drivers licenses expiration extended to end of 2020, but license plates extension ends 9/30/20

Because of the pandemic the WV Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) had allowed that drivers licenses and vehicle registrations that were to expire after March 1, 2020 were extended through September, 2020.

They have continued that extension for drivers licenses now through the end of the year. So if your drivers license (or drivers permit or commercial drivers license) says it expires anytime after March 1, 2020, you now have until December 31, 2020 to renew it.

The new extension, however, does not apply to vehicle registrations. So if your license plate expiration date is between March 2020 and September 2020, it must be renewed by September 30, 2020.

For more information and ways you can renew your licenses and registrations safely see the WV DMV website at https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/News/Pages/Driver%27s-license-expiration-dates-extended-through-the-end-of-the-year.aspx