At 7:30 this morning, the Elections subcommittee of the House P&E committee met. Today’s docket included most of the early voting bills that have been introduced so far, including HB 1520 by Republican Del. Ron Villaneuva of Virginia Beach.
No matter. Just as we saw yesterday, even when it comes from members of their own party, those in charge of the committees in the House are unwilling to pass commonsense legislation. The only expansion of absentee voting is to allow those 65 or older.
And I can’t believe the registrars are complaining. I guess having all those pesky voters show up before election day is simply too much work, especially compared to having them stand in line for hours on end on Election Day.
One piece of good news: Tracy Thorne-Begland’s appointment to the bench was confirmed. I watched the vote – was 66 in favor, far less than some of the other judges but more than enough.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 12:45 pmIn no way would H.B.1520 expand absentee voting. The allowable reasons for absentee voting would not have changed one bit.
Posted by Warren | Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 5:14 pmWrong. From the proposed legislation (emphasis mine):
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 9:33 amWrong. Voters would STILL have had to have one of those reasons listed in subdivisions 1 through 11. The bill would only have removed the obligation to say which reason one had.
Posted by Warren | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 11:11 amIn practical terms, If he doesn’t have to provide the reason, that’s the same as not having to have a reason.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 1:04 pmWhich means allowing liars to vote absentee without specifying exactly HOW they are lying.
Posted by Warren | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 3:51 pmFurther – read the description of the bill:
The reasons portion is only for those requesting an absentee ballot. There is no reason required for in-person absentee voting.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 1:06 pmYes, but they are NOT eligible to vote absentee at all (in person or by mail) unless they have one of the specified reasons.
Posted by Warren | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 3:50 pmPeople who stood in lines for long periods of time need to keep an eye on this bill, be ready to stand in long lines again to get the people out of there, who are against this bill, so we can expand absentee voting or early voting.
NuAmerica
Posted by robert | Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 7:28 pmToo late. Already killed.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 9:34 amWarren , you are reading that wrong. “Without an excuse or reason” means exactly what it says. Those voting in person absentee don’t have to have a reason. If the bill did nothing, there was no reason to kill it. Hell, it wouldn’t have made it out of Legislative Services if it did nothing.
Posted by Vivian J. Paige | Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 5:25 pmYes, it does. But that phrase, “without an excuse or reason,” would not have been in the amended law.
What the bill would have added is, “Any registered voter may vote absentee in person in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in any election in which he is qualified to vote without providing one of the reasons listed in subdivisions 1 through 11.”
Now, if they had wanted it to be as you say, would they not have replaced the word “providing” with the word “having”?
Posted by Warren | Thursday, January 17, 2013, 7:31 am