Absentee ballots must be filled in with a #2 pencil

[demnan]

A pencil!

I'm upset about this. I witnessed my elderly mother's absentee ballot today (of course, she voted straight Democratic, because she wanted to) I didn't have to know but I know how she would vote because we've discussed it for months. But you know absentee ballots are no safer than any other kind, because of this. I'd like to know why a pencil was required to join the arrows on the ballot. And I really also think the whole absentee ballot process in Virginia is confusing because you have to sign over the envelope they send and my mother can do this but it is not intuitive for her to sign over an envelope flap where there is really tiny print. I won't get into the ballot which I did read to her, that is another story. The wording of some of the amendment proposals is really weird. She in fact voted for one I wouldn't have, about the churches not incorporating, but I smell rats in this process where she does not. That is still her choice and I was glad to help her with it, without telling her how I would vote (not the anti-gay marriage thing, she knew she was against that!).

So that is my take on the ballot this year. Plus we had numerous verbose Prince William County spending efforts which it surpised me that she voted for (she never did when I was young). Maybe I'm just an influence on her that way. I always thought we needed the bonds for the roads here back then.

[virgdem]

1. I've got a question about absentee voting..

I live in VA Beach and was considering voting absentee due to our just recently getting the touch screen machines (easy to use, sure, but where is the paper trail?). I simply don't trust these machines, but after looking at the criteria for voting absentee, it appears that you have to have an iron clad reason that you cannot vote in person. Do I understand this correctly? I also have questions as to whether the absentee ballot will be counted fairly. Do you have any information on absentee voting that you could enlighten me with. BTW, I love your cats. I go to the Pets forum all the time and enjoy reading about Pad Thai, Lilly and Charlie.

[demnan]

2. Thanks for that

It does seem that you have to have a reason to vote absentee. But they don't seem to question it. She got her ballot in just a few days. You can also go to the register office and fill out your ballot in person. In the end I decided I wanted to go to the polls and vote. For my Mom that is not an option but even she would prefer to be seen voting if she wasn't in a wheelchair.

It will be interesting to see if we have voter fraud in Virginia. In my opinion, we have had fairly clean elections in the past. And we do have a Democratic governor, which means the elections official is also a Democrat. This means a lot. I would go ahead and vote at the polls. The absentee ballot with #2 pencil gives me less assurance than does the voting machine. An eraser is even easier than hacking.

[virgdem]

3. Thanks for answering my question..

You do have a point about using a #2 pencil - it does leave the door open to much erasure on the ballots. I believe I will be going to the polls and casting a vote on my local Diebold vote stealing machine. Let's hope that our votes really do count, as I want Allen and Drake out in the worst way. I envy that you live in a saner part of the state. Many Republican idiots down this way. However, many that I speak to are ready to vote for a Democrat for the first time. That is truly significant for this very red area. I have been calling from home with the moveon.org program. I love being able to call from home whenever I have the chance. It's a great program that I think will be utilized by all campaigns in the future (that is, if our Democracy survives).

[demnan]

4. You have under 1000 posts so forgive me for saying

I'm so glad you are on DU!

Have you considered the Phone from Home program for Webb?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=183x4508

I've had a good experience with it, maybe you'd like to try this too. Oh my God, you might think I live in a "saner" part of the state, but there are a lot of Republicans in my District and our Congressman is the Lobbyist whore, Tom Davis. My friend, Andrew Hurst is running a brave but totally underfunded campaign against this man who married a lobbyist and trades favors with her firm.

Anyway, I've been canvassing a lot of Republican, leaning Republican and Independent voters who are seriously looking at Webb. Talk to them. You have to think to yourself, they believe something that is wrong, but it doesn't make them stupid, or unpersuadable people. Give them the human factor and just be sincere.

[virgdem]

6. Thanks for the belated welcome..

I actually have been around since 2001, but didn't sign up until the next year. I'm more of a lurker than anything, and when I see an issue that I'm fired up about, I throw in my 2 cents. I'm not here to get into arguments with people, as it is not easy to change a viewpoint on many issues. BTW, thanks for the info on Webb - I intend to get in touch with the campaign later on in the week when I have more time in my schedule. I wish that my local Congress candidate (Kellam) had calling from home, but he doesn't. Since I have my own business, I need to be home to receive calls, which I can't do if I'm away from the phone for long periods of time.

[Virginian]

5. Here in Fairfax

If you go to the Registrar's to vote absentee, they will put you in front of the same kind of machine that is used at the polls. Only the mail-in absentees are on paper.

No one can vote on paper at the polls. Conditional or Provisional ballots are not allowed to anyone who is legally allowed to vote on the machines. Provisional ballots may or may not be counted depending on the reason written on the envelope.

Not only is the head of the electoral board a Dem in VA, the Chief at each precinct is probably a Dem. The rule is not set in stone, but the Chief is supposed to be the same party as the Gov and the Assistant Chief represents the other party. As we don't register by party in this state, the election officers only have to select whether they want a 'D' or 'R' beside their names. Recently, 'I' has also been allowed as an option.

It isn't too late, you can still sign up to work as an election officer in the November election. Be a part of the process and then you know it is fair.

The type of machine used is determined by each county. We don't all vote on the same type or brand of machine.