There is a disturbing trend around the country with too many state legislatures taking actions to restrict citizens' access to voting, using the dubious justification that such steps are merited in order to guard against `voter fraud'.  Over the last few decades, there have only been a handful of documented instances of actual voter fraud, and even fewer convictions.

If this country is going to perform as a democracy, rather than simply proclaim that it is one, states should be taking steps to ease access to voting, not restricting access.  Taking a harder line on matching signatures on absentee ballots would definitely fall in the latter category, and I urge you to refrain from taking the decision that Governor McDonnell has urged upon you.

Stephanie Mercier