Alternative Voting News of the Week

Ohio:

SoS Jennifer Brunner is being criticized by state legislators because she allowed individual counties to choose whether to send absentee ballot applications to all voters, and whether to include return postage.  Brunner argues that the legislature failed to allocate enough funds.  The Legislature counters that not all allocated funds were used, and not sending them to all voters leads to inconsistency and unfairness.  Story in the Dispatch.

Washington

King County’s first all vote by mail election is underway.

Virginia

Governor Kaine is proposing no-excuse absentee balloting, but local officials are worried about the cost implications.  A number publicly acknowledge, however, that no one pays much attention to the 17 excuses mandated under current law.  Story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The Arlington General Registrar says he likes the idea, and advocates a fully all by mail system.