I have a question about absentee voting. The state Board of Elections has said voters would be able to use Sandy as an excuse under the state's absentee ballot restrictions, according to the news. Which reason on the absentee ballot form would apply? http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee.htm

Laurie,

I don't know what was said in the news report you saw but the only statement of which I am aware is the press release (see link below) in which the Board stated that the State Board of Elections "is advising registrars to be accommodating to voters who request to vote absentee due to the potential impact of the storm." Presumably this means that one of the official reasons for voting absentee must be used in conjuction with an issue related to Hurricane Sandy (although I don't want to place myself in the position of interpreting the Board's press releases).

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/Files/Media/Hurricane%20News%20Release.pdf

This actually would be a good thing for the media to follow up on. What exactly did the Board of Elections mean by this press release?

Here is a link to an article which partially explains the Board's position on Hurricane Sandy. The Board of Elections sent a memo to registrars on Saturday (why didn't they release the memo to the general public?) offering guidance on relaxing its standards for allowing absentee voting.

"This guidance is not intended as a free-for-all or no-excuse absentee voting," Donald Palmer, the board's secretary, said in a memo to registrars on Saturday.
"However, due to the state of emergency and the uncertainty regarding the impact of the storm, it is important that we permit voters with legitimate worries about their location or their ability to make it to the polls on Election Day to cast a ballot," he added."

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/news/2012/oct/29/tdmain01-state-will-ask-voter-registrars-to-extend-ar-2318722/

Dave, your comment is consistent with what I was told by a Fairfax County election official today. The permissible reasons for voting absentee are set by state law, and the governor cannot unilaterally add another reason.

For those who work some distance from home, reason 1E makes sense: "I am working and commuting to/from home for 11 or more hours between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Election Day." Giving the uncertainty how long a commute may take, particularly with fallen trees, flooding, and other storm-related problems, it is possible that a commute may cause a workday to last that long - think back to "Snowmaggedon." The governor has directed election officials to be "accommodating," so I believe this logic should be enough for a registered voter to be allowed to use the in-person absentee process to cast a vote. Exercising this vital right should not be put at risk due to unpredictable road conditions.

Those who are uncertain of their availability to vote on Nov. 6 should cast an in-person absentee ballot. Voting locations have re-opened now that the storm has passed. Hours at the North County Government Services Building on Cameron Glen in Reston have been expanded, noon - 8pm on weekdays, 8am-5pm Saturday. Other satellite locations have similar hours. The Fairfax County Government Center will take in-person absentee votes from 8am-8pm on weekdays. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee.htm

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