Making checking the boxes optional on the applicant will no longer provide necessary information about voters which lawfully have to be legal in order to vote.  They need to affirmatively state that he or she is a U.S. citizen, has not been convicted of a felony, and has not found mentally incompetent is crutial.  The notion that a change on the form will be sneaked on there is only a step to remove the questions all together.  This approach is contrary to the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Constitution and eliminates significant safeguards against fraudulent registration.  A positive statement of citizenship, felony convictions and competency forces the applicant to address these issues.