Virginia Voters Keep Up Record Early Voting

[mahatmakanejeeves]

SEP 29, 6:24 PM

Virginia Voters Keep Up Record Early Voting

Daniella Cheslow https://twitter.com/DaniellaCheslow

Nearly two weeks into early voting, Northern Virginia counties are still seeing thousands of people casting ballots daily, indicating a surge of voter enthusiasm as well as concerns about the mail and the pandemic.

Fairfax County spokesperson Brian Worthy estimates that some 1,000 people are voting each day. In Prince William County, about 2,000 people are voting daily, says Matthew Wilson in the county’s office of elections. In Alexandria, more than 900 people on average vote each day, according to city spokesperson Craig Fifer.

This outpouring of early voting is unprecedented, a result of multiple causes. Previously, early and absentee voters used to have to give a reason — such as being out of town, or ill — for why they could not vote on Election Day. This year Democrats in the General Assembly passed a law doing away with that requirement. Further, after the pandemic hit, voters in Virginia and across the country began requesting absentee ballots in record-breaking numbers. Finally, recent cuts in the U.S.

The result was clear at the Fairfax County Government Center last week, as a line to vote early in person snaked out from the entrance, ran down the length of a long hedge, and doubled back. ... “I don’t want to miss the chance to vote, because on Election Day it’s going to be more crowded,” said Anbesse Tesfamariam, 62, of Lorton, Va., after he waited for an hour and 15 minutes to cast his ballot. He said he was voting a straight Democratic ticket in part to preserve his access to affordable healthcare after he was laid off from his job at a parking company. Postal Service triggered panic among would-be absentee voters who worried their ballots might not arrive in time.

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[underpants]

1. I'm voting next week

I should get my second test make Monday morning. I’m not telling work. Policy says I have to work at home for 2 weeks 😝🤪😃

[spooky3]

2. Also, if you live alone, getting a witness is a pain esp. during COVID, and

there are so many envelopes, rules, etc., that in these times, you run the risk of making some small mistake and having your vote not counted. So, this year’s in-person early voting is a great alternative.

[Yonnie3]

5. A witness is not required in Virginia for this election

I carefully read the instructions and it was not too difficult.

I took my time and didn't seal the inner return envelope until I had re-read the instructions.

[spooky3]

8. But it was in the past. So I think that's one of

The reasons why a lot of people are taking advantage of early in-person voting.

[Yonnie3]

3. Count me among those voters, but in Central VA

Our absentee ballots are in and their receipt acknowledged.

I had business in downtown Charlottesville Monday and couldn't park in the usual space by City Hall. It was jammed up with people dropping absentee ballots and parking to early vote. I saw a block long line of early voters. They were well spaced and all wearing masks.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Did you mail yours in or return it in person? NT

[Yonnie3]

6. Dropped it in the box on 5th street at the registrar

Lots of signage so it was easy to find. I dropped it on Sunday afternoon and no one was there. It was acknowledged by the registrar yesterday.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. Do they check it for errors? I mean, do they open the envelope and scan the ballot

right then and there? Or do they have any way of associating your ballot with the envelope in which it was delivered?

I don't mind putting mine in the drop box, but I want to know if I've made a mistake.

[Yonnie3]

9. I don't know the details ...

There is a new law requiring the registrar to notify you of a problem and to provide you an opportunity to cure it.

I would bet that this would apply to naked ballots (not in the inner sealed envelope) and unsigned or "bad signature" envelopes. I don't think that they are allowed to tie the actual ballot to a name, so issues with how you marked the ballot itself are likely not cureable.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

10. I just called the local office. You're right. They check for a signature, but

the ballot doesn't get scanned until election day.

I've never had a ballot rejected when I voted in person. I'd hate for this to be the first time. I might vote tomorrow.

Thanks.