Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Elections
 
Board
State Board of Elections
 
chapter
Voter Registration [1 VAC 20 ‑ 40]
Action Revise Valid Definition
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 8/4/2014
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7/24/14  9:59 am
Commenter: Eve Marie Barner Gleason, voter, elected member of the RPV SCC

Valid Voter ID required
 

Regarding State Board of Elections regulation 1 VAC-2-40-10, a  regulation including invalid or expired documents as "valid" for the purpose of voting, I write in support of the law and revised definition.

Voting is the primary way ordinary citizens participate in governance of our Democratic Republic. It is a responsibility and a trust. Individuals are used to providing ID in a wide variety of ordinary circumstances. Yesterday, I sought medical treatment for a minor condition, and provided my Virginia's driver's license to verify my identity. When buying a  home, operating a motor vehicle, traveling overseas, applying for a job, and in a host of other situations, it is necessary for individuals to demonstrate that they are who they say they are.

The confidence that our elections are honest and the results a reliable indicator of Virginian's opinions is worth the minor inconvenience involved in requiring voters to present  a valid, non-expired, photo ID, to verify their identity before allowing them to cast a ballot. Thanks to the law, voters who find this to be a prohibitive expense can receive an ID free of charge and many voting assistance organizations are ready to help them do so.

CommentID: 33747