The cynics among us feel that voting does not make a difference, and elections don't matter. Don't count me among them. We just had a round of budget cuts in Virginia, and PreK-12 public education was singled out and shielded from the cuts. I'd wager my firstborn on the fact that had McAuliffe not been elected that this would not be the case.
I implore you to participate in the elections on November 4th. We tend to get a bit election weary in Virginia. You know we only have elections here in years that end in a number. Here is some election related information for you to share with friends and family.
October 14th is the last day to register to vote for the November 4th election. If you are not registered, or if you need to update your registration information you can do so online by going to this site.
The new photo-ID law will be enforced on November 4th. This will be a change. In the past many voters have used their voter card as ID. That will no longer suffice.
According to the State Board of Elections, acceptable IDs include the following:
- Valid Virginia Driver's License or Identification Card
- Valid Virginia DMV issued Veteran's ID card
- Valid United States Passport
- Other government-issued photo identification cards (must be issued by US Government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth
- Valid college or university student photo identification card (must be from an institution of higher education located in Virginia)
- Employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business
- or a Virginia Voter Photo ID Card obtained through any local general registrar's office.
Don't have one of these forms of ID?
Any registered voter who does not possess one of the above mentioned forms of photo ID, may apply for a free Virginia VoterPhoto Identification from any general registrar's office in the Commonwealth. Voters applying for the Virginia Voter Photo ID Card will have to complete the Virginia Voter Photo IdentificationCard Application, have their picture taken, and sign the digital signature pad. Once the application is processed, the card will be mailed directly to the voter.
Do you have an elderly parent who no longer drives? You may wish to help them get the ID they will need. Do you know someone who does not drive? You may wish to advise them that they will need to take their employee ID or another acceptable ID to the polls.
Please encourage folks to register, secure appropriate ID, and to vote!
Thank you,
Robley Jones
VEA GR&R