2009.11.02
Virginia's overseas voters
A year ago, many Virginians overseas did not receive their absentee ballots in a timely manner. Those members of the military and citizens living abroad therefore were effectively denied their chance to vote.
In response, the General Assembly this year clarified language in the election code. It now requires local voter registrars to get absentee ballots out 45 days before Election Day so there is ample time for turnaround. Previously, the language had only urged registrars to do so.
This year, 16 localities missed the deadline. Excuses abound, and some of them are pretty good, but the bottom line is that the rule is in place, and local registrars need to meet the requirement. Unfortunately, missing the deadline has no real penalties now.
We're writing an editorial for Tuesday about this problem. We will urge the General Assembly to give the law some teeth. We don't want registrars to lose state money if they miss the deadline. After all, funding shortfalls are partly to blame for the problem. Rather, the State Board of Elections should be empowered to intervene in localities that chronically violate the law.
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Planting the seeds of doubt when Deeds loses, I see.
This should have been brought up long ago...not on election day.
Comment by Patrick — November 2, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
@1 really, a little late huh...yeh the seeds of doubt...well the double digits speak for themselves....yeaaaa
Comment by pammala — November 2, 2009 @ 3:32 pm