Skip the Stamp: Vote Absentee in Person

The first provision for who can vote absentee in Virginia is vague:

Any person who, in the regular and orderly course of his business, profession, or occupation or while on personal business or vacation, will be absent from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote

Some registrars take a liberal interpretation -- in Arlington, if you expect to be out of the county for any reason at any point on Election Day, you can vote absentee. Other registrars will demand a more exact reason -- tied up at work during polling hours, away at college, on vacation, illness. Interestingly, for the first time this year, pregnancy will be a valid excuse. What took so long?

Democrats in the General Assembly have repeatedly tried to eliminate the need for excuses, effectively switching from absentee voting to early voting. But Republicans have blocked the effort each time, cynically hoping to limit turnout in urban areas and among young, working voters.

Remembering the long lines that voters faced in 2004, Arlington is holding extended in-person absentee balloting hours in the 1st floor lobby of 2100 Clarendon Blvd. And to encourage voters to take advantage of that, Arlington Young Democrats are hosting happy hours right down the street. The location and dates:

King Street Blues
2300 Clarendon Blvd
Courthouse Metro

Thursday, October 16, 5-8p.m.
Thursday, October 23, 5-8p.m.
Thursday, October 30, 5-8p.m.

Since you don't need me to tell you to vote for Obama/Biden, Warner and the rest of the Democratic ticket, I'll pass along some advice on the happy hour - you can't beat the Roadhouse Nachos.

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