[Archived] November 2 Election Information

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

For Immediate Release

October 26, 2004

PIO 255-04/bg

November 2 Election Information

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, polls will be open in Virginia from 6 am to 7 pm. In Alexandria, voters will elect the US President, Congress, and vote on Virginia Constitutional Amendments. To see a sample ballot, visit the Electoral Board web site www.alexandriavoter.org

Alexandrians will also use new voting machines on Nov. 2 called eSlate. eSlate replaces the aging optical scan system and meets federal mandates included in the Help America Vote Act passed by the Congress. Voting systems are now required to allow voters with disabilities to vote unassisted, ensuring their right to cast a secret ballot. With eSlate, the voter uses a select dial and buttons, much like an automatic washer or dryer. The approximately 15,000 Alexandria primary voters of all ages who have voted so far on eSlate found the machines easy to use.

In two primary elections earlier this year, none of the 225 new machines malfunctioned and election officials reported few problems experienced by voters in using the equipment. Each precinct opened on time and reported results within 30 minutes of poll closing. Power failures occurred in three precincts with one lasting over 30 minutes. Machines are backed up with 18-hour batteries allowing voting to continue without interruption.

Details about polling places in Alexandria, general election information, or information about how to use the eSlate voting machine, is available on the Electoral Board web site www.alexandriavoter.org at the Alexandria Electoral Board and Voter Registration Office, 132 North Royal St., or by calling 703.838.4050.

Election results will be posted on the web site www.alexandriavoter.org as soon as they are available.