More than 2,500 voters cast absentee ballots in county

More than 2,500 people cast absentee votes in Culpeper County in advance of Tuesday’s election, well in excess of twice the number cast in the 2004 presidential election.

And of the 2,535 votes absentee votes cast, 384 were cast on Saturday, which was the last day to vote absentee in person in Virginia, said county voting registrar Michele White. Absentee ballots sent by mail must be received by poll closing time on Election Day.

Around noon, about 12 were in line to cast votes on one of the county’s electronic voting machines, while another group of people filled out their absentee applications at a long table. In the corner, dozens of red, white and blue “vote here” signs with the names of the county’s 13 precincts were stacked against the wall.

In order to cast an absentee vote, residents had to declare on their applications why they will be unable to vote in person during regular polls hours.

Among the hundreds to cast their vote Saturday was Charmine Chavis, who said she works outside the county and has a long commute.

Curt Farley and his wife Judy were also in line Saturday afternoon. Both airline crew members, they said they were voting absentee because they might be out of town — or perhaps even the country — on Tuesday.

“I’m surprised it isn’t more busy,” said Curt, who was quick to add that the office staff and volunteers were doing a good job.

And although he identified himself as a Republican, he said he hoped that people would vote based on the issues and not just along party lines.

“The issues are more important than anything,” he said.

When the polls close on Tuesday, absentee votes from across the state will be combined with the rest of the regular votes. State officials say that the outcomes of each race will not be known before then.

State clarifies voting information
Misinformation about the election spread late last week prompted state elections officials to release several statements to clarify Tuesday’s voting protocol.

First, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be able to vote.

Finally, the Virginia State Police is investigating the origin of a phony flyer distributed in the Hampton Roads area. Bearing the Virginia seal and attributed to the State Board of Elections, the flyer incorrectly instructs Republican voters to cast their ballots on Nov. 4, while Democratic voters should vote on Nov. 5.

Communicating false information to a registered voter is a class one misdemeanor, according to a statement issued by the State Police.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .