by James Oliphant
Want to vote absentee in Northern Virginia? Good. Take the day off.
The wait to vote absentee in Arlington County was more than two hours Friday morning. The line circled throughout the lobby of the county's Office of Voter Registration, located in the Clarendon neighborhood just outside Washington, D.C.
It's perhaps a sign that the local election board was slightly unprepared for the swell of voters. The Virginia state Board of Elections said Thursday that more than 300,000 absentee ballots had already been cast this year, 80,000 more than were cast in the 2004 presidential race.
Linda Lindberg, the Arlington County registrar, says that more than 20,000 absentee ballots have already been cast and that as many as 35,000 votes could be cast all in all before Tuesday. Only 12,000 absentee ballots were cast in Arlington in 2004.
The wait has been averaging around two hours. "Most people have been willing to wait," she said.
Voting absentee is an option available to many Arlington residents because the law allows an absentee ballot if you work in Washington, but live in Arlington.
The idea was that it was supposed to be more convenient. It doesn't look that way now.
Comments
If only we had card-check in national elections (as the Employee-Free Choice Act will soon provide at work), no one would have to stand in line. They could just give their precinct committeeman a signed authorization card for the party of their choice!
Posted by: Voter-Free Choice Act | October 31, 2008 12:01 PM
While I would love to see us move to improve this, in the meanwhile, just remember that many, many men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice for these very same people to have that opportunity. 2 hours is not much to ask for the freedom to vote.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 31, 2008 12:08 PM
"2 hours is not much to ask for the freedom to vote"
..and yet the Employee-Free Choice Act will give the decision of whether that right exists in unionization elections to only part of the electorate where that part can get enough card signatures. I guess those employees who would vote the other way just don't know enough or just aren't smart enough to know what is in their best interest. Thanks, Union Bosses!
Posted by: Oppose the Employee-Free Choice Act | October 31, 2008 12:23 PM
Posted by: Voter-Free Choice Act | October 31, 2008 12:01 PM
How much do the big corporations pay you a day to keep posting this stuff in non-related threads? Are they paying for your heath insurance? Do you have a good pension plan? Maybe you should join the International Brotherhood of Corporate Schills so that you can get a better deal. Just don't let your employer be a part of the decision to unionize. They really don't care about what's best for you.
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Posted by: Mel | October 31, 2008 12:33 PM
I agree with you, " bill " Hussein " r., I waited an hour, yesterday, standing all the while. That isn't a very easy task, given the fact that I am a recovering cancer patient. By the time I had voted, I was spent, but satisfied and grateful, having the privilege of voting. What added to that important act, was the fact that I was voting for a good American and a great Senator from the great state of Illinois, Senator Obama. Good luck, on November 4, Senator Obama and Senator Biden !! I hope all of America sees it, the way I do!! Get to the voting booth, regardless of who you are voting for, as bill " Hussien " r. has reminded us, many women and men have sacrificed too much, for us not to vote !! Good luck and God bless America !!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | October 31, 2008 12:36 PM
It took me 4 hours in South Florida the other day. But most of us find it worth it for an historical election. I didn't see anyone give up and leave.
Posted by: mort | October 31, 2008 4:43 PM
it's awesome that there has been this "problem" of long lines all over... people taking a greater interest in public issues is always a good thing
Posted by: movie fan | November 5, 2008 10:30 PM