Virginia governor announces bill to repeal voter ID requirement, allow no-excuse absentee voting

[RandySF]

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced Monday that he is introducing a legislative package that would repeal voter identification requirements and implement no-excuse absentee voting.

The package also addresses campaign finance, proposing to limit large campaign contributions, ban contributions made directly by corporations and businesses and ban the use of campaign funds for personal use.

Northam said in a statement announcing the legislation that the package would "encourage every eligible voter to exercise" their right to vote.

“Participation makes our democracy strong — we should encourage every eligible voter to exercise this fundamental right, rather than creating unnecessary barriers that make getting to the ballot box difficult,” Northam said.


https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/424184-virginia-governor-announces-bill-to-repeal-voter-photo-id-requirement

[at140]

1. VA is so different from India!

India requires every voter (800 million of them) to get a federal govt issued photo ID in order to vote!

[spooky3]

2. These are all good steps. We should give credit to McAuliffe too - for restoring the voting rights

of felons who served their time.

To be fair, the absentee voting process here (at least in NoVA) requires an excuse but just about anyone can qualify. For example, if you work outside your county on election day, which many or most of us do here, that qualifies. The pain with absentee voting, I think, is that you have to apply ahead to get an absentee ballot, then once you receive it, find a witness BEFORE you open the ballot envelopes, and take a few more steps, and if you mess up anything, your vote does not count. And, unless you are really conscientious and find out about all the bond issues, ballot initiatives, etc., as well as the downballot candidates before you open the envelope, you may feel uncomfortable making your witness wait as you sit there and read everything before voting, so many people simply won't vote for anything except a candidate they care a lot about.

I don't know if Northam's proposed legislation addresses any of these potential barriers to voting, but it should.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. We here in Minnesota, have no excuse Absentee voting 6 weeks before Election Day.

We show up at the designated place, fill out the receipt form, receive our ballots according to our Ward and Preceint, fill out the ballot, put it in the designated envelopes, then drop in the box. All done. This is all done in person of course between the hours of 9am to 5pm. Monday thru Friday. Takes less than 15 minutes from start to fnish. No excuse, no hassle.

Both my husband and I vote this way. I Election Judge and he has other business to attend to.

[spooky3]

5. I think every state should do this. The benefit of absentee

Voting in VA is that you can do it by mail so you do not have to show up somewhere to do it, although that is an option.

[More_Cowbell]

6. Yeah, I've been a permanent absentee voter in CA for years

If you miss two elections, you have to reregister.

In fact, a few counties are testing ALL absentee voter elections.

I like being able to spread everything out, look at the issues, and vote when I want to. It is a little sad missing the local voting locations, but you can go drop your ballot off there and still get a sticker

[DFW]

4. What's with all this "fairly held elections" business?

“Participation makes our democracy strong — we should encourage every eligible voter to exercise this fundamental right, rather than creating unnecessary barriers that make getting to the ballot box difficult.....”


He had better wear a bullet-proof vest, because that is a declaration of war to the Republicans.

[spooky3]

7. Yes, but most of the Rs here are becoming aware

That they are losing their grip on power. Unlike Mitch, Trumpy and friends, they realize that voters will kick them out if they don’t cooperate. Not all of them, but most.

[DFW]

8. VA has become somewhat more D-friendly of late

Mostly, but not exclusively, due to the DC suburbs. I was there for quite a while when I was very young, used to accompany my dad up to the Capitol, wondered why all my friends were named Bobby, Billy and Jimmy, and all his friends were named "Senator." What a weird name, right?

I'm actually headed back up there tomorrow to see my brother in the Langley area and a few of my favs in DC. For a town that's supposedly "shut down," there won't be a lot of sleep to catch up on!

[Blue_true]

9. Have fun DFW. Maybe you will even witness someone moon Trump.

Mooning in the dead of winter, take your shades with you.

[DFW]

10. Great, just what I'm leaving Texas for!

I haven't been near 1600 since BHO left. That place has acquired a foul odor since then, and it doesn't seem to fade. I think Dupont Circle is about as close as I'll venture. An old friend works on Mass. Ave. and a cousin of my dad's still lives on Conn. Ave. Not as far out as Helen used to live, but definitely past Dupont Circle. And that new (-ish) Indian restaurant in Langley Center is worth the trip alone.