The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Heeding the advice of Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the Virginia State Board of Elections this morning advised local election officials to count absentee ballots submitted by military voters who failed to completely fill out the form.
An incongruity between state and federal law governing the submission of absentee ballots by military members serving overseas had led some local registrars, in accordance with state rules, not to count the improperly formatted votes.
The state requires that the completed federal ballots provide both the name and address of a witness to the absentee vote - unless the voters has also requested a separate, state-furnished ballot.
The federal form, used for voting in all 50 states, does not provide a space for the address and does not specify which states, such as Virginia, require it.
The three-member state board unanimously agreed to allow those votes to be counted; they amount to about 130 ballots across the state, said Secretary Nancy Rodrigues.
Noting that the flap has generated considerable attention, Rodrigues defended local registrars, who had been criticized for "carrying out the law."
Virginia Republicans, on behalf of the McCain presidential campaign, recently seized on the issue as one that would potentially disenfranchise military voters.
Late Monday, Obama campaign officials issued a statement urging the state board to count those ballots.
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Sorry Pens
To say that only a Republican president grants pay raises to military members is ridiculous. I served from 1994-2006 and until Bush took over, we saw our pay raises as high as 7 percent. While there was still a surplus, we received 2 pay raises in 2001. I also recall that military members were not going to get their 3.5% pay raise because the Republican CINC deemed it too generous. I also saw the pay raise post 2001 go down to less that 3%. Who was in charge during this? A Republican!!!
pens0088
The military vote should not count??? what kind of idea is that? Military members are citizens of this country just like everyone else, and should have a say in the government just like everyone else. And who says that being stationed overseas means that you are in an information void? It seems to me that there are alot of people here that do not have an understanding of what is going on, and post like that prove it.
More to PENS008
I have more to say but posting limits keeps me from doing it one post.
So, PENS, what you seem to be saying is military members are not citizens of this country and shouldn’t have a vote. How dare you. But then again, it’s your right to espouse ugly opinions. Very sad when convicted felons get that right yet you feel the military shouldn’t. Who do you think gave you the right to vote? Guess you’d be happier being under Japanese or Russian rule, because that’s where you’d be without us. You may now crawl back under the rock from which you came from.
Pens0088
I’m appalled at your posting. We in the military probably understand the world and the U.S. role in it more than most civilians. Being overseas does not mean we’re on a desert island with no form of communications (as I type this, I’m in Belgium!). While it’s true most of my votes have been for Republican presidents, I certainly don’t do that just for a pay raise! (By the way, it was Regan that brought the enlisted ranks out of the poverty basement with significant raises). Even as an E-6 stationed in California, my pay was so below the “norm” that my kids qualified for both free lunch and breakfast at school. I suggest you walk a mile in a soldier/sailor’s shoes before putting us down as deaf/dumb/blind morons that only vote Republican.
Submitted by my_view on Tue,
Submitted by my_view on Tue, 10/28/2008 at 1:10 pm.
Williamw grow up!!! Just because these are military votes, does not mean they are all for McCain!!! Oh and our next Presidents name is Barack Obama, you seem to have problems each time you post! Vets for Obama!
I'm a Vet and YOU don't speak for ME!!!
Votes
Submitted by usv on Tue, 10/28/2008 at 1:17 pm.
No, no, we can't count curious military ballots. Only homeless bums, incarcerated felons, mental patients, and illegal immigrant curious ballots should be counted, because those are the people we want deciding who will run our country.
Don't forget the deceased and the 3rd graders!
The Military Vote
Should not count. You serve your country regardless of whom the commander in chief is. Besides, the majority of the military votes only for the ones that give them pay raises (Republicans) and they truly do not understand the real demographics of what is going on in America, nor do they understand the economy. We have starving Americans leaving in this country. Go to the streets corners and you will see it for yourself. Yep, that is your Republican party stealing from its own and lining their pockets and bank accounts. The same applies as to the ones stationed overseas. They are out of touch for many years and do not have a day to day understand of what is going on, less the propaganda papers such as stars and stripes. When you are finally discharged and out in the real world and understand what is really going on, then you should and will have a voice in the general election. The bottom line: We all have suffered enough under the bush regime. It is time NOW for a majority change. It is a darn shame that our dollar is not worth .2 cents.
twomiler2
Why do you waste your time bringing up the fact McCain was born in Panama. Everyone knows that children born to Military parents are automatic citizens regardless of where they are born. Non issue.
Sick of it.
For all of you that think Senator Obama will either raise taxes or is a Socialist or will support a socialist government, give back and/or stop receiving Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. I mean it is government money being handed out yes?
And no you haven't earned Social Security, the generation before you did. Just like I'm paying for your benefits now. Chances are great I won't benefit a dime of MY money I put in your pockets today.
So before you call Obama a socialist, think about your parents and grandparents and where they are getting their monthly payments from.
;
Where, in this Universe
do some of you get so much ridiculous misinformation & outright lies, on the Obamas? Mike C; Obama was in college, Columbia U. in Manhattan, in '81,'82,'83. Obama is a native born American, born to a native born American from Kansas. On the other hand, McCain was born in Panama, while his father was stationed there in the Canal Zone. Michele Obama is a brilliant attorney, great mother & a positive role model. McCain actually missed more votes in the Senate than Obama. Some of you really need to take a few minutes to do actual research prior to writing such outlandish comments.