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RICHMOND, VA- The State Board of
Elections is aware that a suit has been filed regarding election preparations
in certain voting precincts in Virginia. We will work with the Office
of the Attorney General to respond to the suit in the coming days.
Pending action by the courts, the State Board will continue its efforts to
ensure that voters are able to exercise their right to vote as conveniently
as possible, consistent with Virginia’s election laws.
The State Board, General
Registrars, and Electoral Board members have worked together to implement a
number of changes since the 2004 Presidential election in Virginia.
Currently, all local
jurisdictions are in compliance with the minimum number of voting machines in
each precinct as required by the Code of Virginia – one machine for every 750
registered voters for direct electronic voting systems; and one voting booth
for every 425 registered voters for optical scan systems are used. Many
jurisdictions have two or three times as many machines as required by the
law.
The State Board has confirmed
that the number of voting machines in Virginia has increased from
approximately 5,700 in 2004 to approximately 10,600 in 2008 – an increase of
86 percent.
Since 2004, nearly 300 polling
places have been created across the Commonwealth which should help alleviate
potentially long lines that could occur in large voting precincts. In
addition, nearly 30,000 individuals are assigned to precincts statewide as
officers or alternates – an increase of over 50 percent compared to Election
Day 2004.
In 2004, only five local
jurisdictions in Virginia used electronic poll books. This year, there
will be 17 jurisdictions that will make use of electronic poll books.
These poll books eliminate the need for alphabetical check in lines and can
provide for faster check-in. In precincts that do not have electronic
poll books, the State Board has encouraged localities to split poll books in
order to reduce waiting time in check-in lines.
In addition to these steps, the
State Board and local jurisdictions have taken steps to address traffic and
parking concerns, upgrade call centers to handle voter questions, allow
voters to check on the State Board web site to verify where they should vote
on Election Day, and secure backup power in case of power loss at voting
locations.
The State Board has also
encouraged those qualified to do so to vote by absentee ballot to avoid long
lines on Election Day. Already, more people have voted absentee already
than did so in all of 2004.
With
an expected record turnout in Virginia, we encourage voters to keep in mind
that on Election Day polls are traditionally busier from 6:00 a.m. to
8:00 a.m., during the lunch time hours of 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and after
work from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Voters
who qualify may want to consider applying for an absentee ballot.
Applications are available online at the State Board of Elections web
site. To vote by mail the application is due by 5:00 p.m. on October
28. The last day to vote absentee in person at your local registrar is
November 1. All absentee ballots must be submitted to the local
registrar’s office or assigned precinct by the time the polls close at 7:00
p.m. on Election Day, November 4. All absentee ballots properly cast will be
counted.
For more information go to the State Board of Elections web site at www.sbe.virginia.gov.
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