Dear Jack,

I hope you and your family are doing well during these tough times. I'm sending weekly Bulletins so that you have all the latest updates you need.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away on Friday. She was a brilliant legal mind who left an incredible legacy of promoting gender equality and justice on the Supreme Court. Just as she worked to make this world a better place to the very end of her life, we will commit ourselves to continuing the fight for justice in her honor. May her memory be a blessing and a call to action for us all.

Special Session Update

This week, after two hours of floor debate, my bill SB 5018 passed the Senate 22-15. This bill is very dear to me, as it allows the Parole Board to consider compassionate release for geriatric and terminally ill prisoners who are not a threat to society. SB 5018 is a bill about compassion -- it allows those who have made mistakes in their lives an opportunity to spend their final days with their loved ones at home, rather than in jail. You can watch my speech on the Senate floor above. The bill still needs to pass the House, but I feel very encouraged by the progress we've made.

Early Voting Update

Early voting for the November election began on Friday! There has been incredible turnout so far at our early voting locations, and I know our poll workers have been hard at work ensuring a safe and efficient environment for voting.

In addition, many requested absentee ballots have already been sent out, so if you requested yours, you should be seeing it in the mail soon. Please note: if you requested an absentee ballot by mail, but would like to vote in person instead, you must bring your unopened absentee ballot with you to the polls.

EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS

Loudoun County Board of Elections

750 Miller Dr SE

Leesburg, VA 20175

Haymarket Gainesville Community Library

14780 Lightner Rd

Haymarket, VA 20169

Prince William Office of Elections

9250 Lee Ave Ste. 1

Manassas, VA 20110

Woodbridge Department of Motor Vehicles

2731 Caton Hill Rd

Woodbridge, VA 22192

Coronavirus Numbers (9/20)

As always, please reach out to my office if you need any assistance. My Senate email address is [email protected] and my in-district phone number is (571) 367-9080. I hope you and your family are able to stay safe and healthy during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Senator John J. Bell