There really is little excuse for expanding absentee voting
By JR Hoeft | Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 | Policy6 a.m. to 7 p.m. 13 hours to vote. And that’s not enough time?
If you listen to Governor Tim Kaine and Democrats, it isn’t enough time and we’re in an electoral crisis. Or worse – a spiritual one.
“I hope I don’t lose my place in heaven because I told a lie on Election Day,” said Del Rosalyn Dance (D-Petersburg).
Given that the average work day for most Americans is now about 8 hours, that leaves five hours to vote. Take into account that the average daily commute is 25 minutes, that leaves a person about four hours to vote.
Now, the worst commutes are in areas where there are heavy concentrations of government employees. Yet most government employees are provided some time off either before or after work to complete voting. According to the Office of Personnel Management, a government employee can take time off if a poll opens less than three hours before the beginning or ending of work, whichever is less. So, if the poll opens at 6 a.m. and an employee starts work at 7 a.m. but routinely works until 5 p.m. and the polls close at 7 p.m., the employee can leave work at 4 p.m.
Therefore, you can see that many of Virginia’s employees already have three hours to find time to vote.
Certainly, if you’re going to be out of town, or one of the other 16 reasons Virginia currently has to vote absentee, you should vote absentee.
But only because you want to vote early? Is there justification for this? Perhaps there is a cost savings with early voting.
In the fiscal impact statement for HB1621, there really is no justification:
Local governments may incur indeterminate costs or savings. There may be increased demand for local governments to print and mail additional absentee ballots, but the number of election day ballots needed would decrease. Demand for increased local staff may be necessary prior to election. Fewer voting machines needed could produce cost savings on election day.
This is an argument? This is a study? Er…maybe we’d save money? Or maybe we might just put an unfunded mandate on our cities and counties.
The above justification looks like a teenager taking five minutes to scribble down a quick paragraph before the teacher picks up the paper.
The reality is that there is ample time for a person to vote on election day and ample provision for a person to vote absentee.
All that’s going on now is grandstanding by the governor and his dutiful followers in the House and Senate. Kudos to Dels. Landes, Frederick, Cosgrove and Jones for tabling the House bill.
Or course, the Senate is sure to pass it.
The reality is that giving people more time or the ability to vote absentee is going to have little impact on voting – other than the anomaly of this past general election, most people just don’t seem to care.
Of course, if it weren’t for the absentee ballots, Joe Murray would not be in a recount right now.
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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Comments
11 Responses to "There really is little excuse for expanding absentee voting"
Once again Republicans are on record for limiting voting opportunities. News Flash terrible P.R.
Here’s an idea NMM – let’s vote 365 days a year. Democracy abounds! In fact, I move that we vote for president today. Heck, if you are really interested in voting, your vote should count more than someone elses. So, if you’re motivated enough to vote multiple times, you should. That’s only fair, right?
C’mon, NMM. You’re a smart guy. It’s called “Election Day” for a reason.
The “early voting” phenomenon concerns me. At a polling place one can be assured that their decision will not be made under pressure. When someone turns in an early ballot, you do not know what happened when that vote was marked. Absentee ballots could be marked by someone facing coersion from an ACORN style organization. The GOP must continue to make an effort to stop this coersive voting. I do believe that absentee ballots can be good if someone is going to be out of town, or is in the military. We can have absentee voting but we should use wisdom.
Let me point out many polling places in Hampton Roads aren’t transit-accessable, but most Registrar’s Offices are. It’s easier to go vote for the transit-dependent if they can vote early.
J.R.
I forget if you or Brian are the political consultants but you should know its just another tool to use to bash the Republicans as not being inclusive and keeping voting rights.
I agree the 13 hours is a bit much but in Northern Virginia land you would be suprised how many people work 10 hour days and have hour plus commutes on either end.
Also many of the government workers up here are GS 13+ and while there are still some slackers they are pullitng 10 hour days right alongside the contractors in many cases.
I used to agree that absentee voting never really amounted to much. That is until I started knocking on doors in 2008. You would be surprised how many people asked if we could get them an absentee ballot. many of course where of the elderly population, but it amzed me how many folks in thirties in those rather extravagent neighboorhoods ask for them as well citing they did not think they were going to have time to get out and vote. After this experience I am not so sure it could not make a difference, especially in local elections that draw roughly only about 35% turnout.
novamiddleman, if you are going to make an argument, at least make a good one. Among the reasons listed allowing absentee ballots is for people whose work day plus commute take up at least 11 hours a day; your reasoning mentioned people who work 12 hours a day (which I have done before, and I can assure you, I would vote absentee in such a case). J.R. even provided a link for this. What it all boils down to is absentee ballots are already doing exactly what you want.
Whatever the configuration is Voting needs to be expanded some kind of way. It would increase participation, if only minimally, and stem the at times ridiculous voter streams on ED. Bottom line is it is a net plus, end of story.
Ian, next time there is a debate, I’m going to end my comments “end of story” too…that way whatever you say afterwards can be marginalized and diminished too.
End of story? Poppycock.
There is actually good legislation being proposed by Republicans to expand who is allowed to vote absentee, improve voting efficiency, and minimize wait times.
I wonder if Democrats will even consider this legislation?
End of story? Nonsense. We’re just getting warmed up.
Shouldn’t anyone be able to vote absentee? Just asking. Where does it say you have the right to vote but only if you drag you arse down to the polling station. If absentee cannot be expanded good luck getting online voting by 2030 I guess. Nothing like keeping voting back in the stone age.
Early voting stinks.
Think of elections other than President for a second.
Local candidates, state candidates, even some congressional candidates can only afford a few weeks of heavy advertising.
Many City Council races only last 60 days.
Early voting means ya gotta run a lot of ads all the time.
Early voting just means more political ads, more fundraising, and longer campaigns.
I’m a political consultant, so I’d make a good chunk of change if it passed.
But I oppose it, because I think that unless you REALLY will be unable to vote on Election Day, you should vote on Election Day.
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