Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
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Thursday, October 1, 2009
By PAUL COLLINS - Bulletin Staff Writer
Monday is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
Henry County Registrar Elizabeth Stone said there were 35,789 registered voters as of Tuesday, compared with 36,369 at the time of the Democratic primary June 9.
There were 36,140 registered voters at the time of the Nov., 4, 2008, elections; and 34,135 at the last gubernatorial election, in 2005.
Stone noted that 444 voters were purged from voter rolls on Dec. 31, 2008, because they had not voted in two federal elections. “We don’t get many (new) voters. They are already registered,” Stone said.
She is hoping for at least a 50 percent turnout Nov. 3, she said.
Martinsville Registrar Ercell Cowen said the number of registered city voters as of Monday was 9,057. There were 9,265 voters at the time of the Democratic primary June 9, and 8,305 registered voters at the time of the 2005 gubernatorial election, Cowen said.
She said she does not expect a big increase in the number of registered voters.
“We’re not having that much interest in absentee voting, very few so far; (but) we still have the whole month of October,” she said. She added that nine people had voted in person or by mail so far.
Patrick County Registrar Diana Vipperman said there were 11,877 registered voters in that locality as of Tuesday; 11,983 in the June 2009 primary; 11,942 in the Nov. 8, 2008, presidential election; and 11,161 in November 2005 (the last gubernatorial election).
“I’m guessing 50 to 60 percent turnout” will occur for the Nov. 3 election, she said.
All three registrars said their offices will be open, in addition to normal weekday hours, on Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, for absentee voting. Oct. 31 is the deadline for absentee voting, Cowen said.
The registrars said the deadline for having applications in their offices for voting by mail is the end of the business day Oct. 27.
On the ballots for Henry and Patrick counties and the city of Martinsville are candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Other elections on the ballots in Henry County are (depending on precincts): House of Delegates 10th District, 14th District and 16th District seats, and Blackberry District, Iriswood District and Collinsville District representatives on the Henry County Board of Supervisors and the county school board.
Other elections on the ballots in Martinsville are commissioner of the revenue, treasurer, commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff and, depending on precincts, House of Delegates 10th District and 16th District seats.
Other elections on the ballots in Patrick County are: House of Delegates 10th District seat; Dan River District and Smith River District seats on the Patrick County Board of Supervisors and the county school board; a countywide referendum on a food and beverage tax; and a referendum for the town of Stuart on mixed alcoholic beverages.
According to a news release from the State Board of Elections (SBE), Virginia residents are encouraged to check their voter status, polling place location, and a sample of their local ballot by checking the SBE Web site (www.sbe.virginia.gov). Virginians also may call SBE at 1-800-552-9745 or their local registrar’s office for assistance.
More than 400,000 Virginians have received a blue post card titled “Address Confirmation Notice” from SBE. This was sent to those voters because they have a different address than what appears on their current voter registration record. To avoid delays in voting, those citizens are asked to indicate their correct address and return the address confirmation notice by Monday. The mailing helps ensure the accuracy of voter lists in the commonwealth, the release states.
For more election information, visit the VSBE Web site; or call the Henry County registrar at 634-4698, the Martinsville registrar at 403-5122 or the Patrick County registrar at 694-7206. |
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