More Virginians Applying to Cast Absentee Ballots

More Virginians Applying to Cast Absentee Ballots
Trend Ascribed to Wary Commuters And New Rule on Overseas Voting

By Nikita Stewart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 28, 2005; Page B05

More Virginians are requesting absentee ballots for this year's general election than did four years ago, a trend local registrars say is attributable to two factors: voters who want to avoid driving through traffic to their home precincts, and a new federal law requiring that ballots be automatically sent to overseas citizens, including members of the military, who made requests last year.

Although the increase has not been dramatic, the absentee ballots could have more impact on this year's gubernatorial race than any other in recent memory, because the contest is neck and neck, said Larry J. Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.

The Virginia governors race is in full swing, with Republican Jerry Kilgore and Democrat Tim Kaine vying along with Russ Potts for the state's top spot.

Hot-button issues -- such as immigration, the death penalty and abortion -- have not created a clear lead for either Democratic Lt. Gov Timothy M. Kaine or Republican Jerry W. Kilgore, Sabato said.

"They keep trying to push the needle. The needle may move slightly, but it always moves back to 50-50," he said. "These absentee votes could easily be the difference."
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/27/AR2005102702239.html?nav=rss_metro

with Electronic Voter Regulation and people wanting their votes to be counted.

Nothing to see here, move along, let's go, keep moving

Airmail from China back to my hometown. Good God, please dont let our beautiful Virginia go to the likes of Jerry Kilgore.

GGGGOOOOOOOOOOOO KAAAAAIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!


-Alec