Virginia Primaries to Choose Party Nominees Set for June 11

Absentee voting recently began for the June 11, 2013 primaries, which include four races for which at least some Loudoun residents are eligible.

Voters typically vote at their local polling places for primaries, while party conventions – the method state Republicans have chosen to select their candidates for attorney general and lieutenant governor – require voters to gather at one central location. Absentee voting is not an option for the May 17-18 convention.

The June 11 primaries include the statewide Democratic Party primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general. In addition, there will a Republican primary for the 33rd House of Delegates District and a Democratic primary for the 86 House of Delegates District.

In the 33rd District, incumbent Joe May faces David LaRock, while Jennifer Boysko and Herbert Kemp are vying for the opportunity to take on incumbent Tom Rust in the 86th District. The 86th District touches a small portion of eastern Loudoun, while the 33rd District covers a considerable portion of western Loudoun.

Visit the State Board of Elections’ website (www.sbe.virginia.gov) for more information.

The following information was provided by the SBE:

CURRENT ELECTION INFORMATION

Poll Hours: The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on June 11, 2013. If a voter is in line by 7:00 p.m. they will be able to vote.

Democratic Candidates for Lieutenant Governor:

• Ralph S. Northam
• Aneesh Chopra

Democratic Candidates for Attorney General:

• Mark R. Herring
• Justin E. Fairfax

Absentee Voting Overview: Absentee voting allows qualified voters to participate in upcoming elections even though they may not be able to go to the polls on Election Day. Absentee voting in person began on April 26, 2013.

There are two ways to vote absentee, either by mail or in person.

The deadline to submit an application to vote by absentee is Tuesday, June 4, 2013 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  Applications may be received by mail, fax or as a scanned email attachment. The voter’s local registrar must receive the application by the deadline.

All voted absentee ballots must be submitted as directed in the instructions with the absentee ballot by the time the polls close at 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, June 11, 2013. All absentee ballots, properly cast, will be counted. 

The deadline for applying and casting an absentee ballot in-person at the voter’s local registrar’s office is Saturday, June 8, 2013 by close of business.

The Code of Virginia authorizes the following registered voters to vote by absentee ballot in any election in which they are qualified to vote:

Virginia allows a registered voter to vote by absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:

• Any person who, in the regular and orderly course of his business, profession, or occupation or while on personal business or vacation, will be absent from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote;
• Any person who is (i) a member of a uniformed service of the United States, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1973ff-6(7), on active duty, or (ii) a member of the merchant marine of the United States, or (iii) who temporarily resides outside of the United States, or (iv) the spouse or dependent residing with any person listed in (i), (ii), or (iii), and who will be absent on the day of the election from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote. See Absentee Voting Procedures for Overseas Personnel (Military & Non-Military)
• Any student attending a school or institution of learning, or his spouse, who will be absent on the day of election from the county or city in which he is entitled to vote;
• Any person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of election because of a disability, illness or pregnancy ;
• Any person, who is confined while awaiting trial or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor, provided that the trial or release date is scheduled on or after the third day preceding the election. Any person who is awaiting trial and is a resident of the county or city where he is confined shall, on his request, be taken to the polls to vote on election day if his trial date is postponed and he did not have an opportunity to vote absentee;
• Any person who is a member of an electoral board, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment;
• Any person serving as a designated representative of a political party, independent candidate or candidate in a political party;
• Any duly registered person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because he is primarily and personally responsible for the care of an ill or disabled family member who is confined at home; or
• Any duly registered person who is unable to go in person to the polls on the day of the election because of an obligation occasioned by his religion.
• Any person who, in the regular and orderly course of his business, profession, or occupation, will be at his place of work and commuting to and from his home to his place of work for eleven or more hours of the thirteen that the polls are open (6:00 AM to 7:00 PM).
• Certain first responders who meet code definitions for law-enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel and emergency medical services personnel.
• Any registered and qualified voter may request a mail ballot for presidential and vice-presidential electors only by writing across the top of their absentee application "request ballot for presidential electors only." A voter who votes a "presidential only" ballot may not later decide to vote the rest of the ballot. The same procedures and deadlines apply as for other absentee applications and ballots.