RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about Election Day 2012. To see what the statewide and Greater RIchmond area races are, and to view the candidates, click over to: http://wtvr.com/2012/11/06/election-2012-a-statewide-and-local-look-at-the-ballot/
When can I vote?
Polls in the Commonwealth open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. If you are in line by 7:00 p.m.,you will be allowed to vote.
Where do I vote?
The State Board of Elections has a form to fill out, plug in your address and it tells you where to vote. You can find the form here.
What is on my ballot?
Click here to see what you can expect to see on your ballot when you go to vote on Tuesday.
What do I need to bring to the polls?
Some sort of identification is required.
The State Board of Elections sent all registered voters a new registration card last month.
In addition to your voter ID card there are other forms of identification accepted at the polls including:
- A Virginia Driver’s License
- A U.S. Passport
- Social Security Card
- Copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck that shows the name and address of the voter
- A valid student ID from a Virginia school of higher education ( i.e. VCU, ODU, Etc.)
- Any valid 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
- Concealed handgun permit
- Other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States
If you do not have identification you will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
The ballot will not be counted until you bring an acceptable form of identification to the registrar in the city or county in which you vote by Noon on Friday, November 9.
What are the constitutional amendments on the ballot?
1) Eminent domain – Would limit instances when private property could be taken for public use.
The Virginia Eminent Domain Amendment, Question 1 is on the November 6, 2012 ballot in the state of Virginia as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment.
The measure would prohibit eminent domain from being used for private enterprise, job creation, tax revenue generation or economic development, thereby restricting it to only being invoked to take private land for public use. Specifically, it would update a 2007 law which states that private property can be taken only when the public interest dominates the private gain. It is sponsored by Delegate Rob Bell.
2) State legislatures – Allows the legislature to delay the start of its veto session by up to one week.
The Virginia Veto Session Amendment, Question 2 is on the November 6, 2012 ballot in the state of Virginia as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment.
The measure would allow the legislature to delay the start of their veto session by up to one week. The stated intention of the measure is to prevent the veto session from starting on a holiday.
To read the previous amendments in full from the State Board of Elections website, click here.
What if I feel as if my voting rights have been abused or if I suspect election fraud?
The United States Department of Justice has a District Election Officer appointed in every district around the country.
In the Eastern District of Virginia the person responsible for making sure the election is fair and free of abuse is Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Gillis.
His office can been reached at 703-299-3700 during polling hours.
Also the Federal Bureau of Investigations will have special agents in each field office to take reports of election fraud and abuses.
They can be reached at 202-278-2000 or at the Richmond Field Office at 804-261-1044.
For answers to more Election Day questions, click here.
