I'm pissed that we can't vote early here in VA without a valid reason.

[politicaljunkie41910]

Early voting here in VA is actually Absentee Voting in-Person. There are a limited number of reasons to vote early and you have to sign a declaration that you qualify for one of the stated reasons and provide supporting data on your Absentee Voting ballot under 'felony penalty of law' in the State of Virginia and face up to $2500 fine and/or confinement up to 10 years. So if this storm is anywhere near what they are predicting, everyone is going to be clamoring to vote at the last minute in spite of potential flooding and power outages which could lasts for days or possibly weeks. Virginia should open up the polling for everyone effective immediately.

[Happyhippychick]

1. Someone posted earlier that you can use the hurricane as a reason

So go vote!!!

[krawhitham]

19. Link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021649422

[TroyD]

2. Early voting should be allowed in every state

But that's what happens when you allow each state to set its own rules rather than having the same Federal rights for voters that apply across the country in a patchwork of contradictory laws.

[LiberalLoner]

3. I feel the same way. Angry that there isn't early voting for all who wish to, here in this state.

Especially understanding what a mess things might be with this storm coming.

[theinquisitivechad]

5. Totally agree but McDonnell would never allow that to happen

Brainfart in my earlier post, where I said "Allen". Livin' in the past

[Jennicut]

6. In Connecticut you can only vote absentee with a reason and it has to be mailed in.

I voted from college this way once.

Oregon and Washington are interesting being the only states where voting is all done by mail.

[Nye Bevan]

17. Yes, but if you plan to be out of town on Election Day, that's a valid reason.

And if your plans happen to change after you mail in your vote, there are no consequences. Nobody stakes out your house to check that you are really away. So every election, I simply vote by mail.

[PunkinPi]

7. VA SBE Prepares For Absentee Voters Ahead Of Sandy (see link)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1081508

[politicaljunkie41910]

10. Thanks, hadn't seen that. I'm going tomorrow.

[Raine1967]

14. Who May Vote Absentee? Here is a link:

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/absenteevoting.html

There are a lot of reason that allow people to vote Absentee in person. Thanks for voting!

[clydefrand]

8. What? vote early on machines

that the repubs haven't had time to 'fix'?

[rox63]

9. Can't vote early here in Mass at all

Unless you mail in an absentee ballot. I wish we had early voting here.

[DCBob]

11. Hurricane Sandy should be a valid reason.

go for it.

[Sunlei]

12. In Texas it's the vote by mail that is limited

Have to be very elderly or disabled or out of the county *every single day* of the in person early vote days. They even want the out of county address to mail the ballot.

America needs a way to vote that by-passes the states Repub. control totally. State Republicans have made a huge big-Gov. over-regulated mess of our right to vote.

Wish we all could use the Federal online system for the active military

[CreekDog]

13. early voting and absentee voting should be legal in the entire country

some states have really antiquated laws on this.

half of states don't even require the Electors to follow the votes of the people.

[VirginiaTarheel]

15. I voted early in Person in Virginia in Sept

Because I MIGHT work late on Election Day, could be out of town that day, might be too busy driving people to the polls, might be sick that day, or the weather could be bad. I don't see why most people cant find an excuse that fits into a reason to vote absentee in person. I know a lot people are voting absentee based on the possibility something could interfere with voting on Election Day.

[OldDem2012]

16. I'm not sure about the penalties involved, but Alabama is the same way...

...no early voting without a valid provable reason. We all know why that law was enacted in this state.

As long as the Deep South is controlled politically by the GOP and right-wing extremists, there will be no early voting allowed as seen in other states.

[LisaL]

18. I believe now you can tell them you are concerned about Sandy and vote.

At least somebody posted so.
So go and vote!

[VirginiaTarheel]

20. If you work anywhere near 6 or 7pm

You should vote early absentee because you never know what obstacles could impede you from getting to polls before 7 pm

[tabbycat31]

21. Tell them you have a long commute

I am working for a campaign in VA, and while I cannot legally vote here (I have nothing to prove residence here and I've already voted in NJ where I live), I have encouraged all of my guys to vote early (so far 3/5 did) and also an early voting party for the interns (many of them first time voters who are barely 18).

[LisaL]

22. They are now allowing Sandy as an excuse.

So everybody who wants to presumably should be able to vote early!