Central and Eastern Kentucky
(2009-10-30)
RICHMOND
(Virginia Public Radio) -
Although watchdog groups will be monitoring Virginia's polls Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union says it's ready to file suit, even on election day, if anyone violates voting laws.
Still, the organization's executive director hopes there are far fewer complaints than last year.
State ACLU Executive Director Kent Willis says the organization dropped its lawsuit last year after state lawmakers clarified that campaign paraphernalia can be worn to the polls.
The State Board of Elections also handed a victory to college students when it required all jurisdictions to allow out-of-state students to register to vote in the locality of their college residence.
The ACLU supported then-presidential candidate John McCain's lawsuit last year, in which overseas ballots were mailed too late to be returned by election day, which Willis says may be a problem again.
Willis says the group will also watch for voters who are turned away at the polls because they don't have identification. State law prohibits this and allows residents to sign an affirmation of identity form to vote.
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