Virginia Election Workers Prepared, Officials Say

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=9280501

Posted: Nov 2, 2008 05:19 PM

Updated: Nov 2, 2008 06:19 PM EST

The Virginia State Board of Elections say a little bit of wait is simply the price people may have to pay this year as they head to the polls. But they say that should be the only issue people have to deal with on November 4.

"We have really gone, shall we say, out of the box thinking, to really try to make certain that Virginia is well-prepared," Virginia State Board of Elections Secretary Nancy Rodrigues said.

The board was slapped with a lawsuit on October 27, which claimed they were not prepared for huge crowds of voters. But board officials say they have been working for nearly a year to make sure that is not true.

It's been a start to finish election makeover. First, the new voter registration card is no longer 11 questions long. "We pared it down to seven and tried to make it easier for people to understand," Rodrigues said.

Officials have also made sure the posted list of special requirements is more clear and concise. "Including, you'll see, all the special requirements for ID as well as what forms of ID are necessary," Rodrigues said.

Voting machines have been nearly doubled, and poll workers have been dramatically increased.

FULL story and video at link.