As anticipated, a federal judge has approved a settlement that will allow voters to cast mail-in ballots without a witness signature for the June 23 primary elections.

The ruling doesn’t apply to local elections taking place on Tuesday, May 19.

U.S. Judge Norman K. Moon issued the ruling Tuesday, accepting a settlement proposed by Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring to end a lawsuit filed April 17 by the League of Women Voters to eliminate the witness provision during the pandemic.

Under current law, persons voting absentee by mail must open the envelope containing the ballot in front of a witness and then have the witness sign the return envelope.

Judge Moon’s ruling allows local registrar offices to accept and count ballots contained in envelopes that do not bear a witness signature. The decision is a victory for the LWV and the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the case on the league’s behalf.

Early voting by mail, or in person, for the primary elections is to begin Friday, May 8.

The judge held a conference call hearing Monday, then delayed a decision one day after allowing the Republican Party of Virginia to intervene and present objections to the proposed settlement.

Meanwhile in Richmond, Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter announced that absentee voting would go on even though City Hall is scheduled to remain closed through Sunday, May 17.

Ms. Showalter stated that voters can reach her office on the first floor of City Hall through the Broad Street entrance to cast ballots in the congressional primary races. Those in wheelchairs or with other disabilities should enter through the 9th Street doors to be escorted to the voting area, she stated. Curbside voting also will be available for elderly and disabled voters, she stated.

In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Daniel M. Gade, Thomas A. Speciale II and Alissa A. Baldwin are running for the GOP nomination to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark R. Warner in November.

In the 4th Congressional District, which includes Richmond, incumbent Rep. A. Donald McEachin is being challenged by R. Cazel Levine for the Democratic nomination.

Ms. Showalter stated that applications for mailed ballots can be obtained at the state Department of Elections website, www. elections.virginia.gov, either by registering online or by printing the forms and mailing them to the city Voter Registration Office at P.O. Box 61037, Richmond, Va. 23261.

Richmonders also can email a request to VoterRegistration@richmondgov.com or call Richmond 311 at (804) 646-7000 to seek assistance.

Ms. Showalter also noted that her office is still accepting paperwork and signed petitions for candidates for city offices. Those individuals, she advised, should email VoterRegistration@Richmondgov.com specifying a date and time for submission so that an appointment can be scheduled.

People seeking to register to vote can do so online at the state Department of Elections website. Otherwise, they will have to wait until City Hall reopens, Ms. Showalter added.