University of Virginia Library

Myth

Concerning this myth about
the "rather cumbersome
process" of obtaining an
absentee ballot for the
forthcoming election
mentioned by Mr. Larry
Sabato in his letter to the CD
(Monday, Oct. 9); I am not
aware of the procedures in
other states, but in Virginia
voting by absentee ballot is
certainly less 'cumbersome'
than having to return home
(Fairfax County in my case) to
vote.

For the benefit of Virginia
state residents who vote
outside of Charlottesville, let
me illustrate the very simple
procedure to obtain a ballot.
One only has to write to the
registrar of the county where
you are registered to vote and
ask for an application; fill it
out, stating that your presence
at the University makes it
impossible for you to vote in
person at your precinct; and
return the application along
with 53 cents (covering the
cost of posting the ballot by
certified mail) to the registrar.

The ballot is then sent to
the voter in advance of the
election, the voter fills out the
ballot in the presence of a
notary public and then the
ballot is returned to the
registrar by certified mail
before Nov. 7.

It should be obvious that
rather than being a difficult,
time consuming, frustrating
task, voting by absentee ballot
is in fact a convenience that
avoids the expense, time and
trouble of voting in person in a
distant place on election day.
It is deplorable that the Vice
President of the Student
Council should be irresponsible
enough to suggest otherwise..