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Make sure your vote counts! Vote early!!




Still don't know where your polling place is? Check out the Election board office  website.

Here's info from the The Virginian-Pilot about what you need to know today!!!

Today’s election is expected to set records for turnout. Election officials warn that voting is likely to require waiting in lines for a while.To make voting less stressful, here are tips about what to expect, where to get information, and your rights.

Before you vote

Voters uncertain of their registration status or precinct are urged to visit the State Board of Elections Web site: www.sbe. virginia.gov/cms/. Other automated polling place locators: 1-877-GO-CNN-08; 1-866-MYVOTE1.

You can check out details of your polling place at http://hampton roads.com/firstvoter

To speed the process, study the ballot before voting. Ballots are especially long in Virginia Beach and Suffolk because they also have city races. To see a sample ballot, visit http://hampton roads.com/firstvoter

 

Keep in mind

- Be prepared to wait in line.

- Dress for the weather; lines probably will stretch outside. Food, drink and personal music players are permitted, unless a particular polling place prohibits them.

- Be patient. Most poll workers are not government employees and are working a long day for a nominal salary.

- Do not wear political T-shirts, hats and buttons inside precincts because they’ve been banned by state election officials. The ban will not be enforced in Virginia Beach.

- Try voting during off-peak hours. The busiest times are traditionally before and after work and during lunchtime.

 

At the polling place

- Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone who is in line at 7 p.m. may vote.

- If you are 65 or older or have a disability, you have a right to have a ballot brought to your vehicle instead of entering the polling place.

- It’s fine to bring along your young son or daughter. Children 15 years old or younger may be brought into the voting booth.

 

You’ll have to show identification

Voters must show identification or sign under oath an Affirmation of Identity form. Acceptable identifications include: Virginia voter identification card; valid Virginia driver’s license; military ID; any federal, state or local government-issued ID; employer-issued photo ID; or Social Security card.

A tip for Norfolk and Suffolk voters: a driver’s license or voter card that includes a bar code is preferred because it speeds up voter check-in.

The identification check can be more complicated for first-time voters who registered by mail and did not send a copy of an ID. They will be required to show identification – a photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows name and address. If not, those first-timers must use a provisional ballot that the local electoral board may count Wednesday – if the board can verify the person’s qualifications.

What if your name isn’t listed on voter rolls?

You may cast a paper provisional ballot that elections officials set aside to determine after Election Day whether it can be counted. Once verification of voting status is made, only provisional ballots cast in the correct precinct can be counted.

 

Special needs

- Services for voters with disabilities include curbside voting, barrier-free access, large-print voting materials and wheelchair access.

- Every polling location must be equipped with at least one accessible voting system that will allow voters with disabilities to vote in the same private manner as voters without disabilities.

- Voters with cognitive disabilities who have not been declared mentally incompetent by a court may also vote.

 

Protecting your right to vote

If you feel your voting rights have been violated or that you’ve witnessed an election law infraction, contact the State Board of Elections at 800-552-9745 or info@sbe.virginia.gov.

Watchdog groups also are monitoring elections. For information or to report problems:

The Reform Institute at 1-877-GOCNN08 or www.reforminstitute.org

Election Protection at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or www.866OurVote.org

The NAACP and International Brotherhood of Teamsters at 1-866-MYVOTE1.