Lines in Arlington VA for early voting

[nitpicker]

I don't know how it is in the rest of Virginia, but yesterday I went to the Arlington County offices shortly before 4 pm to vote. There were about 100 people in front of me when I started, and 45 minutes later when I had finished voting the lines had grown further to about 130 (not counting the dozen or so lined up in the actual office waiting to vote). Perhaps the mention of snow in the mountains reminded some voters of how the Chesapeake primary storm blocked them from voting?

So bring a newspaper or book even if you are doing your in-person voting early!

[midnight]

1. This is great.

[huckleberry]

2. Did you vote at the building on Clarendon Blvd?

I live in South Fairlington and I'm thinking about taking my chances and voting at our Community Center on the morning of election day because of the parking problems in the Clarendon area. Did you have any problems with parking?

[democrattotheend]

3. The Courthouse is right on the Metro

Take the Orange line to Courthouse and it's literally right there...just walk through the garage and you don't even have to go outside. And I think the parking garage adjacent to the Metro/Courthouse has free parking on the weekends, and maybe after 5 as well (voting is open until 7), so you can just park there.

[huckleberry]

12. Thanks for the info!! And I love the pin!

[nitpicker]

4. Yes, I voted there.

And the parking there was a zoo, but luckily I found a two-hour meter right in front of the CVS with a bit of time on it (when I went inside and saw the line, I had to run back out and add more change which put me back about 10 people).

Part of the competition for parking spaces is from the office workers (which is why I had not taken off and gone earlier in the day). You may want to check out the extended hours on Thursday (running through 7 pm) or come early on Saturday before the restaurants open- but they may still be running the farmer's market Saturday mornings in front of the courthouse.

[huckleberry]

13. Thanks!! nt

[demnan]

5. Long lines last night in Woodbridge, VA

the crowd was enthusiastic and about 70% black. I know there were more than 100, probably 300 people in line. It was about an hour wait to vote.

[Heather MC]

6. Someone told me if you are going to be out of town for more than 15 mins on the 4th. you can vote

Absentee. Is this true?

[HalbyVA]

11. Answer directly from VA Board of Elections

"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;"

and

"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)."

Link: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Absentee_Voting/Index.html#Who%20May%20Vote%20Absentee

[SheilaT]

7. Virginia has had what amounts to

no excuse early voting at least since 1980. Or at least they had it back then. I was going to be out of town on election day that year, and there was a voting machine set up, somewhere, probably the Arlington County Courthouse since I lived in Arlington at the time. I don't recall having to do anything any more complicated than showing up, signing the register, and voting.

I was in Poland on election day that year, and THAT was quite interesting.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. McCainamania?

[HalbyVA]

9. Long Lines in Mason District Too

I went to a land use meeting at the Mason District Government Center located off Columbia Pike (Annandale / Falls Church boarder) last night at 7:30. There was a long line of at least 100 to cast in-person absentee ballots. A Dem volunteer was outside the Center braving the wind and cold handing out sample ballots. No Repub volunteers or signage to be seen. This is just one of many examples of unusually high Dem interest and enthusiasm I've witnessed in Northern VA this cycle.

[Virginia Dare]

10. They're predicting a possible 90% voter turnout in Virginia...

I'm going to show up about 5:30 a.m. to the polls, hopefully the line won't be too long yet.