For Release: Oct. 31, 2008
Contact: David Clementson
Email: dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Attorney General Bob McDonnell Issues Election Day Advice for Virginia Voters
Urges Voters to Go to Polls Early; Make Sure They Know Where They Vote
RICHMOND -- In advance of the anticipated record turnout for Tuesday’s federal and local elections, Attorney General Bob McDonnell released voting tips and advice for Virginia voters. The Attorney General urged voters to vote early or at non-peak hours, prepare for long lines, work with their employers and employees to facilitate voting, make sure they know their precinct before heading to the polls, and bring their I.D.
“Here in Virginia we have a tradition of well run elections that reflects the best of American democracy, and we want this one to be the same,” Attorney General McDonnell said. “During this past year, Virginia has registered 436,000 new voters. This is the largest surge in voter registration in our history, and reflects a renewed interest in the political process. Local registrars are expecting heavy turnout on Election Day and are working diligently with my office and the State Board of Elections to ensure smooth and efficient operations. We know that lines will be long and require voter patience, but we also know that Virginia voters understand the historic nature of this campaign, and they will respect the rights of others and the hard work of election officials. On Tuesday we will once again hear what Patrick Henry rightly called, ‘the language of democracy.’ Virginians should remember with pride that much of the design of the great American democratic process is from here in Virginia.”
Attorney General’s Tips for Virginia Voters:
- Confirm your voting precinct. Voters are assigned to precincts based on residential address. Be sure to check your precinct well in advance of Election Day to ensure you go to the correct polling place. You can do so by clicking here:
https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicPollingPlace.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
- Vote early or at non-peak times. With registration at a record high and large turnout expected, lines at polling places may be long during premium hours. Plan to vote earlier in the day or on off-peak hours to avoid arriving late. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The law of Virginia provides no means for keeping polls open if you get in line to vote after 7 p.m., so don’t cut it close. If you are in line by 7 p.m. to vote, Virginia law provides for you to vote and your vote will be counted.
- Businesses and employees should work together to facilitate voting. Employers are encouraged to allow employees to come early and leave early or come late and leave late from work or take early or late lunches if the voting precinct is close by in order to vote and avoid peak voting times during the day. Lines should be shorter during non peak times and people can vote quicker. By working together businesses and employees can ensure everyone gets to vote on Tuesday.
- Make use of absentee voting. If you qualify for one of the numerous statutory reasons to vote absentee, you have today and tomorrow in which to vote absentee in-person. The more voters who utilize this option the shorter lines will be on Tuesday. Details are available at www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Absentee_Voting/Index.html.
- Bring I.D. Federal and state law require all voters to provide some identification at the polls, or sign a statement, in order to vote at the polls. For more information, see www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Voter_Information/Voter_ID_Requirements_in_Virginia.html.
Additional Notes
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Students who have registered to vote in Virginia are reminded that the law enables them to only vote once. Students who live in one locality and attend school in another are not allowed to vote in both locations, nor in multiple states. Students need to carefully check their registration and go to the correct precinct.
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State and local officials will work together to ensure that every voter who complies with the law is not disenfranchised. There have been questions regarding various election law polices established by the SBE in accordance with Virginia law and whether certain violations of those policies are criminal offenses. Of course, all decisions as to whether a criminal violation of election laws has occurred are ultimately within the sole discretion of the local Commonwealth’s Attorney to be made on a case by case basis, not the SBE or this Office. Again, the intent of all involved is to ensure that all lawful voters are permitted to exercise their right to vote.
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Overseas military ballots will be counted. Coordination between this Office, SBE and local registrars has ensured that ballots cast by overseas military members will be counted in this election.
