Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Elections
 
Board
State Board of Elections
 
chapter
Absentee Voting [1 VAC 20 ‑ 70]
Chapter is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Action 2014 Absentee Material Omissions
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 7/21/2014
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7/18/14  10:37 am
Commenter: Frank Leone, Arlington

Don't impose unnecessary restrictions for absentee ballots
 

 As I understand it, the SBE has proposed that additional information as be considered as "material" and required for absentee ballots to be counted, specifically, a “generational suffix,” 1 VAC 20-70-20.B.3, and “residential street identifier," identifier.  1 VAC 20-70-20.B.4.

These changes are unnecessary and will result in the failure to count legitimate votes.  Although, for example, Arlington has a 5th street and a 5th road, it is unlikely that there are voters named John Smith who reside on each of those streets and have requested an absentee ballot.  In fact, the absentee ballot return envelope includes the full name and address.   In the few cases where there are questions, the registrar can resolve them and make sure that people can exercise their right to vote, without overly-detailed and non-substantive restrictions.

CommentID: 33293