The clock is ticking for Governor Bob McDonnell to make a decision on a controversial voter ID bill. He has until Friday to sign House Bill 9, which would change how voters without proper ID cast their ballots. Proponents of the bill say it would reduce fraud, but critics call it a way to keep elderly and young voters home on Election Day. “I’m looking now at whether or not I should sign it,” Governor McDonnell said. “I want to make sure we have fair and honest elections. I don’t want to have anybody unduly burdened with the bill.” However, Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta says it’s electoral boards like hers that will see a burden.
Right now, voters without proper ID sign a sworn statement, under penalty of perjury, that they are who they say they are. But legislation passed by the Virginia House and Senate would require men and women without ID to fill out a provisional ballot instead, and then show valid ID within a week in order for that vote to count. Iachetta says it would mean more work for her staff. “We’re not going to have results for a few days, because there are going to be so many provisional ballots that all the electoral boards in the state are going to have to deal with,” Iachetta said.
Full Article: New Concerns Over Voter ID Bill as Signing Deadline Looms – NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather.