Absentee voting; qualified voters may vote absentee without providing a reason. (SB8)

Introduced By

Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville) with support from co-patron Del. Al Eisenberg (D-Arlington)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Elections; absentee voting. Provides that qualified voters may vote absentee in person without providing an excuse or reason for not being able to vote in person on election day. The bill retains the present statutory list of specific reasons entitling a voter to cast an absentee ballot for those persons who vote absentee by mail. Read the Bill »

Status

01/29/2008: Merged into SB69

History

DateAction
11/28/2007Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 087710220
11/28/2007Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/29/2008Incorporated by Privileges and Elections (SB69-Howell) (10-Y 3-N) (see vote tally)

Duplicate Bills

The following bills are identical to this one: SB69, HB309 and SB646.

Comments

Lu Ann Maciulla McNabb writes:

Excellent idea. It will encourage more people to vote, especially for those individuals who have long commutes. There are many reasons why people may not be able to vote on Election Day and as long as absentee voting is available in person or mail, then it should be offered to all, not a select few.

T. D. Howard writes:

This is one of those warm fuzzy bills that will cost the localities much needed resources, for very little result.
Each locality would be responsible for the costs associated with additional equipment,staffing, administrating and holding a 45 day long election.
There are no financial supports in the bill.
Other states have shown that early voting DOES NOT increase overall turnout AND actually pulls voters AWAY from the polling place on election day. IOW the same people will vote, they just vote early.