Va. Senate Approves Bill to Allow Early Voting (AP/WaPo)

Associated Press
Monday, February 9, 2009; 5:13 PM

The Senate has passed bills to allow early voting and to put the decision to extend polling hours in emergencies in the hands of a state judge.

On a 29-11 vote Monday, the Senate passed Sen. Louise Lucas' bill to allow voting 15 days before an election. Voters could cast ballots until the Saturday before the election. For special elections, voting would begin eight days in advance.

Democratic Sen. George Barker's bill would allow a Richmond Circuit Court judge to extend polling hours in the case of an emergency. Currently, only a federal judge can extend voting hours.

Last February, snow prevented thousands of voters in northern Virginia from voting in the presidential primary before polls closed at 7 p.m.

The bill passed 29-11.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/09/AR2009020901942.html