The Virginia NAACP filed suit against Governor Tim Kaine yesterday in Richmond’s U.S. District Court. The lawsuit alleges that the state has not provided enough polling places for election night, just a week away, in view of the record number of new registered voters, reports the Associated Press.
The NAACP is asking for more voting machines in the precincts that are most likely to have long lines on November 4. particularly in places with many minorities polling places. In addition, the suit demands that the Commonwealth leave polling places open for two extra hours, and, in some places, use paper ballots.
"If they do not prepare adequately for the potential turnout, what could be the greatest collective exercise in democratic participation in our nation’s history [could] be stained by government failure," said Judith Browne-Dianis, co-director of the Advancement Project, which filed suit on behalf of the NAACP.
The Washington Post also reports that more than 5 million residents are registered to vote, including more than 500,000 new voters this year alone.
Locally, the Daily Progress reports that the number of absentee votes cast in Charlottesville and Albemarle County has reached a record high. As of Monday, 1,843 absentee ballots were cast in the city, and 3,724 for Albemarle County.
Four years ago, 1,400 total absentee ballots were cast in the city.
Governor Tim Kaine addressed questions to the State Board of Elections, which issued a statement that all localities are complying with the minimum number of voting machines and voting booths in each precinct as required by state code.
