(14 votes)
Currently Virginia offers absentee ballots for citizens who will not be in the area on election day and mail in ballots for those unable to get to the polls. Our Commonweath does not have an early voting opportunity at the polling place to allow citizens greater opportunity for participation.
Early Voting (in person) at the polls beginning for example 16 days prior to an election would encourage participation in the political process and ease the process as well. Please consider this idea which would benefit the Commonwealth and its' citizens. Thank you.
Response from state government
From the Office of the Secretary of Administration:
Recent legislation has been proposed to allow for no-excuse, in-person absentee voting in the Commonwealth. The proposed legislation, if approved by the General Assembly, will allow any qualified voter to cast an absentee ballot in person at their registrar’s office during the 45-day absentee voting period, without providing an excuse or reason.
Secretary Viola O. Baskerville
Early Voting
The need for (and value of) early voting (extending voting days) should be demonstrated on November 4th.
early voting
The idea is to give people more than one day to go to the polls and cast their ballot. The process would be the same, requiring ID, just expand the number of days open for people to vote. (election "week" for example...)
There still may be a need for absentee voting for people who will be out of the area and or disabled people not able to get to the polls.
In person Early Voting better than by mail
If the idea is to require early voting in person, showing ID, that is better than voting by mail.
early voting
The idea is to give people more than one day to go to the polls and cast their ballot. The process would be the same, requiring ID, just expand the number of days open for people to vote. (election "week" for example...)
There still may be a need for absentee voting for people who will be out of the area and or disabled people not able to get to the polls.
early voting
Oh, I know just how put out you feel. Absentee voting just isn't enough even though it was designed to be easy and convenient enough for a 6 to 95 year old.
I would like my ballot personally delivered to my Beach Side chair in the Virgin Islands. I am so put out by having to put a sweater on in November, just to go outside.... And I just
dread the thought of having to drive to the polls.
early voting
This additional voting opportunity is needed and would be appreciated.