[Archived] Election Day is Tuesday, November 4! Are You Ready?

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : October 28, 2008                          

Polls Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Based on increased numbers of new voter registrations, and record participation in the presidential primaries, election officials expect a record turnout on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. Alexandria election officials and City departments will be prepared. However, lines of voters will still be long, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

Here are a few tips to help make your voting experience smooth and easy.

Confirm your polling place. Some have changed since 2004. Virginia election law requires voters to vote in their home precincts, so confirm your voting location. You can do this by checking your voter card, which lists your polling place and address (You do not need to show your card to vote, although using some form of government identification will save you time). You can also visit www.alexandriavoter.org and click on “Am I Registered and Where do I Vote?” or call the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 703.838.4050.

Educate yourself.  Learn how Alexandria’s eSlate voting system works. For an online demonstration, go to www.alexandriavoter.org and click on “eSlate Voting System.” In addition, every polling place will have a demonstration machine so you can practice before you cast your official vote. The eSlate system is completely accessible to voters with disabilities.

Alexandrians will be voting for candidates in three federal races this fall: President/Vice President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. There are no other races or questions on the ballot. A sample ballot is posted at www.alexandriavoter.org.

Vote mid-day if possible. Lines at rush hour will be long. Some voters may wait two hours or more. To reduce wait time, vote between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Avoid “electioneering.” The State Board of Elections has issued a policy that forbids voters from wearing campaign t-shirts, buttons, caps, or lapel stickers within the polling place. Voters will be asked to remove or cover these types of items until they leave the polling place and are back outside the 40-foot “no campaigning” zone.

Save time and bring identification. You do not need to show your voter card to vote, although some form of government identification (such as your voter card or a Virginia Driver’s License) will save you time. If you don’t have an ID, you may sign an Affirmation of Identity instead. (Exception: First-time Virginia voters who registered by mail and did not send a copy of their ID are required to show ID or vote provisionally.)

Don’t be late!  Promptly at 7 p.m., a sworn election officer will be stationed at the end of the voting line to close the polls. If you are in line at that time, you will be permitted to vote. If not, you will not be allowed to vote. It is the law, and precinct workers take an oath to uphold it.

For more Election Day information, visit www.alexandriava.gov