University of Virginia Library

Register To Vote

An unprecedented ruling in Richmond
Friday by U.S. District Judge Robert Merhige
provides students in Virginia with an
additional week in which to register to vote in
next month's general election.

The entire issue of residency requirements
for students remains unclarified, pending
court action in an ACLU-sponsored challenge
to Virginia law. However, Friday's order,
coupled with an earlier ruling from Attorney
General Andrew Miller which made one's
status as a student a "neutral factor" in terms
of voting, should encourage students to avail
themselves of the extra week. The registrar's
books close Saturday, October 9.

According to a representative of Mr. Miller,
residency can best be described as "where do
you call home?" Students who consider
Charlottesville their place of residence have a
valid claim to pursue with the registrar, in
whose hands the decision rests. As a guideline
for use by registrars the Attorney General's
office stated that a student may vote in the
precinct of his school if he is prepared to
establish a legal domicile there. Naturally, the
burden of proof rests with the prospective
voter.

Students who lived in town all last year,
have their automobiles registered here,
worked here last summer and paid city taxes,
and who generally list their address as
Charlottesville, should be qualified to vote
here. While exceptions are possible, others are
probably better advised to register at "home."

The upcoming election will be an
important one. Unlike many races, in which
voters are offered little choice between
differing platforms and philosophies, several
contests this fall—here and statewide—promise
an unusual degree of contrast. Without
endorsing one candidate or another, we might
note in passing the three-way race for the
unexpired term of the late Lieutenant
Governor J. Sargent Reynolds.

Locally, voters will have their say in a four
man field from which two Delegates will be
selected to go to Richmond. For a race of its
kind, the one here in Charlottesville has been a
heated one—and not one based primarily on
personality or equally meaningless party
differences.

Albemarle County voters—including
students who may live in the county—will
elect a sheriff in addition to the other
contests.

Many students doubtless have already
registered in their home towns. Those who
have not, and who feel they are entitled to
vote here, should state their cases to the city
registrar at 201 5th Street NW. There is
nothing to lose, and in a city where margins
are often close there may be much to gain.