BY FRANCES WOMBLE
Virginia registrars are gearing up for a heavier-than-usual election year, with all localities holding at least three elections in 2012.
Some localities are holding even more because of special elections to fill vacant seats.
“It’s a busy year,” Spotsylvania County Registrar Kellie Acors said.
Virginia joins nine other states on March 6, also known as Super Tuesday, in holding a Republican presidential primary. However, only two contenders, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney, will appear on Virginia’s ballot.
“The limited choice and no possibility of a write-in will probably suppress voter turnout,” Fauquier County Registrar Alexander Ables said.
Ables said his office of three people has experienced a slight increase in workload, but much of that is attributed to address changes.
These address changes could soon be of utmost important to voters. Currently, lawmakers are debating new rules that would require every Virginia voter to present a valid photo ID with an accurate address before casting a vote.
Although she said her office has not experienced a large increase in work, Acors said she knows it is coming.
“I’m sure a flood of applications will come in as November approaches,” she said. “But much of this will be for registration updates or address changes.”
Although Donna Jenni, Orange County’s registrar, did not have voting numbers in front of her, she said there seems to be an increase in voter registrations.
In addition to the Republican primary on March 6, both the Republican and Democratic parties will have primaries June 12 for U.S. Senate and House nominations. The general election will be held Nov. 6.
The town of Orange is one of several local jurisdictions holding elections May 1.
“We are obviously going into a very big election season,” Jenni said. “Right now is the calm before the storm.”
Other localities that are holding May 1 elections are Fredericksburg, the town of Culpeper, Colonial Beach and Warrenton.
Also, on April 3, Stafford is holding a special election for the Garrisonville District seat on Board of Supervisors between Ty Schieber and John “Jac” Starkey.
Despite the upcoming elections, Stafford Registrar Greg Riddlemoser does not feel overwhelmed.
“The more elections you have, the more prep there is to do,” he said. “But the level of effort is essentially the same.”
Riddlemoser said he and his staff of two are preparing for 10,000 voters to turn up at the polls next month. That number represents about 15 percent of eligible Stafford voters.
“The opportunity is there,” he said. “We’re ready for people to operate their franchise.”
Frances Womble: 540/374-5444
fwomble@freelancestar.com
