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| Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia E-News |
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| Commentary
Vote Absentee if Possible
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
My first research project on the dynamics of campaigns and elections was done when I was a senior in high school. When I read the paper that I wrote many years ago but that I still have today, "The Use of the Absentee Ballot in Virginia," I continue to be surprised at the evidence I was able to assemble about the flagrant misuse of the absentee ballot in certain areas of the Commonwealth during the 1940's and 1950's. The system I had heard about as a youngster was that campaigns would pay the then required poll tax with additional payment probable to those persons living primarily in the mountain hollows of Page County and some other counties in Southwest Virginia who would mark their absentee ballots appropriately. The absentee ballot ensured that the bought vote was delivered to the right candidate. The buying of votes through this process resulted in one of four votes in the counties in which the system was abused were cast by absentee ballots only in the voting cycle when local officials were elected. In all other elections the absentee ballot was used by about two of a hundred voters as was the average throughout the state.
Subsequent changes in election law have tightened the process for applying for and using an absentee ballot. No fraud has been alleged on vote buying for many decades. In fact, some would argue and I would agree that the current laws concerning the use of the absentee ballot may be overly restrictive and difficult. Contrary to practice in many states, Virginia law requires that a reason be given as to why the voter cannot vote in person in order for an absentee ballot to be given. Being sick, taking care of someone who is sick, and being out of town on business are among the categories for which absentee ballots can be approved. See a complete list at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb. An application form for an absentee ballot can also be downloaded at this site.
Early in-person voting is available for persons who will be out of town on Election Day. Voting at the NorthCountyGovernmentCenter is available October 15 through November 1, Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Voting at the FairfaxCountyGovernmentCenter is available through October 31, Monday through Friday, at 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on the Saturdays of October 18 and 25 and November 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A record number of voters is expected at the polls on November 4. If you have a legal right to cast an absentee ballot, please do so. You will save yourself some time as well as save time of other voters who might be standing behind you in line if you vote in person. Too bad that misdeeds of the past complicate the process today, but none of that history should keep any qualified voter from casting a legitimate absentee ballot. If you have any questions or comments concerning the electoral process, the candidates, or issues, please email kenplum@aol.com or call 703.758.9733 in the mornings.
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| "Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight
October 15 at 10:30 p.m. Dr. Sean O'Brien, Center for the Constitution at Montpelier - "The Birth of our Constitution"
Next Week Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 22 at 10:30 p.m.
Judith Dittman, Alternative House - "Giving Young People Hope for Brighter Futures"
Online
Watch this week's show and other "Virginia Report" programs at:
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Climate Change Citizen Action
Measure your carbon footprint and calculate potential savings you can realize with environmentally friendly actions at the Alcoa-Pew Center website at www.alcoa.com/makeanimpact.en/home.asp.
For ideas on conserving energy, go to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy webpage at www.dmme.virginia.gov and click on "Tips to Lower Your Electrict Bill Today" and the "Virginia Energy Savers Handbook." |
Voting Information for November 4 Election
Check Your Voter Registration Status:
Take advantage of a new web tool to confirm your registration status, polling location, and other vital information. Visit www.sbe.virginia.gov, click on "Online Services" at left, and then select "Verify Your Voter Registration Status" or call 703.222.0776.
Absentee Voting:
The Fairfax County Office of Elections initiative, "Voters on the Move," informs registered voters about the options for absentee voting in this fall's November 4 General Election. Fairfax County voters who will be commuting and working for 11 or more hours on Election Day, between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., may qualify to vote by absentee ballot. Information on who is eligible to vote absentee is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/absentee.htm. To make absentee voting accessible, the Office of Elections offers in-person absentee voting at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, through Saturday, November 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Absentee Voting will also be available at seven satellite locations throughout the county on Wednesday, October 15 through Saturday, November 1. Satellite times and locations are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb. To facilitate the absentee voting process, the Office of Elections Web page, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb, has an interactive online absentee ballot application form. The link allows eligible voters to complete their application directly online. The form may then be printed, signed, and either faxed or mailed to the Office of Elections. The Web page also includes information about absentee voting deadlines, eligibility guidelines, and voting absentee in-person. Applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at 5:00 p.m.
Final day to vote absentee in person is Saturday, November 1, 2008.
For detailed information about absentee voting and related topics visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb. Election officers are needed to assist with the conduct of the General Election on November 4. Apply today at www.sbe.Virginia.gov/officers.
Parks Bond Referendum Information:
Information about this year's Fairfax parks bond referendum is now available on the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bond. This online resource offers specific information about projects expected to be funded, general information about bonds, and a form to request a presentation about the referendum.
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Announcements
October is Virginia Archaeology Month. Participate in some of the many events listed in the 2008 Calendar of Events at:
www.dhr.virginia.gov/arch_NET/ArchMoCalendar_2008.htm.8.htm.
Four Fairfax County locations are among 100 American locales chosen for Money magazine's 2008 "Best places to Live" rankings: Hunter Mill (19), Sully (25), Burke (31), and Reston (37). Plentiful jobs, excellent schools, and a wide range of housing opportunities are among the sought-after attributes of communities appearing on the annual list. The list appears in Money's August issue and is available online at:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/.
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Calendar of Events
The League of Women Voters will hold its final Voter 101 class - "Everything You Need to Know and Share about Elections" and "So You Think You Have a Right to Vote" tonight -Wednesday, October 15, 7:30 p.m., Reston Regional Library.
A town hall meeting on the foreclosure crisis for Fairfax County homeowners and renters will be held on Thrusday, October 16, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Seoul Presbyterian Church, 6426 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Attendance is free, but registration is required due to limited seating. Call 703.451.8873 to register.
The 7th Annual Reston Home Tour will be on Saturday, October 18, 2008, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year's tour, "A New Perspective," will feature five private homes and a special chef presentation at Linden Springs Manor House. Get tickets online at www.restonmuseum.org. Those interested in being a Reston Home Tour docent may contact Donna Shaffer at donnas17@verizon.net or 703.437.1099. The Reston Home Tour is presented by Reston Historic Trust to benefit Reston Museum at Lake Anne Village Center.
Join in the Community Walk for the Homeless on Sunday, October 19, 2:00 p.m. at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, 11975 Bowman Towne Drive. Walk from the Shelter to St. Anne's Episcopal Church, where educational activities for all ages will be offered before returning to the Shelter. The walk is approximately 2 miles long and will take 2 hours. For registration and more details, contact Alexandra Robbins at Alexandra.Robbins@restoninterfaith.org or call 571.323.9572.
Attend a unique opportunity to learn about truancy and dropout prevention from nationally known experts by attending the Truancy and Dropout Prevention Policies: Strategies for Virginia's Youth seminar on October 22, 2008, in House Room 3 of the Capitol in Richmond. Coffee will be served at 9:00 a.m., and the seminar will begin at 9:30 a.m. Contact the Virginia Commission on Youth at 804.371.2481 for more information.
Reston Environmental Action (REACT) will hold its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 22 at the Reston Association Glade Room at 11550 Glade Drive, above the pool bathhouse, at the intersection of Glade and Soapstone Drive. A social period to meet and mingle with fellow REACT members is at 7:00 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7:30. Guest speaker Kate Sicola from the Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling will answer questions we frequently hear such as, "What happens to our recycling," "Can I recycle more items," and more.
The Virginia Council for Litter Prevention & Recycling will host a conference October 22-24 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fredericksburg. Save the date; more information on registration will be available soon.
Our troops need support from us at home. Support our men and women deployed overseas by participating in an ongoing project called Adopt a Soldier. Give a few hours of your time on Saturday, October 25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center, 2855-A Annandale Road, Falls Church, to pack "We Care Packages" for the soldiers. Collect or donate items to pack in the boxes. Individuals or groups can collect items to be placed in teh boxes. Items can be dropped off at the James Lee Community Center by October 24. Call 703.324.4386 for more information about volunteering.
Are you new to Reston? Get to know your Reston Association (RA) at an event for newcomers and also for those not-so-new to Reston on Thursday, November 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at RA's Main Conference Room, 1930 Isaac Newton Square. Learn more about RA and its many services, amenities, and programs available to you. Meet staff and Board members, and find out about volunteer opportunities. Light refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded.
On Saturday, November 8, 2008, the Northern Virginia Brain Injury Association (NVBIA) will hold its Fall Fest at the Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, VA 22015, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. this event is to reach out to survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their families and friends, especially members of the military who are returning home with a TBI received while serving their country in dangerous assignments. For more information please contact Patricia McClenic at 703.324.5641, TTY 711.
Join the Reston Epilepsy Awareness Stroll on Saturday, November 15, 2008, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School. For questions, to volunteer, and to register, contact Dana Douglas at danadouglas@cox.net, 703.698.0229, or contact Kristen Cortes at klcortes@yahoo.com, 724.944.7685. There will be free t-shirts for walkers donating $20.00 or more.
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| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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