Voting Question

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if there's a line for pregnant/disabled/etc at the polling places in VA? I was just watching the news about people standing in line for 4 hours, and I am now wondering if I will be able to vote. I absolutely cannot stand for 4 hours! Normally I wouldn't try to use the pregancy to get ahead in a line but I can't imagine being on my feet that long. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Not sure but I know "my pregnancy" is an option for your reason for voting absentee (at least in VA) although I suppose it is too late for that now. But it obviously shows that they take it into consideration. Hopefully others in the line will just let you cut!

[Anonymous]

I'm worried about it too. I tried several times to absentee vote but the lines were awful so I gave up. I'm going to get there very early and see how long the lines are.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely contact your county's election department and ask them this question today if you can - maybe there is one specific site you can go to?

I'm guessing others let you cut, too, especially if you are really showing....really stick out that belly and do the full waddle.

[Anonymous]

This is my third election to work in as an election officer in Fairfax County, Virginia. I'm sorry you didn't vote early, but PLEASE, the best time to vote is after 9:00 a.m. and before 3:00 p.m. Getting there early is NOT A GOOD IDEA! Also, bring a chair with you - folding etc. We have had pregnant moms bring camp chairs to sit in line, and also have put placeholders in line for them (with the cooperation of the person behind them) so that the pregnant gals could sit down at the side of the gymnasium on the bleachers until their turn.

If you have any relatives who are disabled, they can request curbside voting. Take someone else along to hold the place in line for the voter, and when their turn comes the election officer will either bring the ballot, or the voting machine (they are just like notebook computers, and are on wi-fi this year) to the car. There are many services available, and the poll workers will work with you. Please VOTE! We are there to help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure but I know "my pregnancy" is an option for your reason for voting absentee (at least in VA) although I suppose it is too late for that now. But it obviously shows that they take it into consideration. Hopefully others in the line will just let you cut!

the poll workers will not let you "cut". Just let them know your situation and see what they have worked out for that location.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I'm going to try to work from home and go over there at 10ish. Hopefully it will work out. I wish I had thought about it a week ago but honestly my brain isn't working as usual! I'll try to post back tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

I also am a poll worker in Virginia and have been a precinct captain. There is no official policy for cutting for pregnant women, but most people will try to work something out. For disabled people, they do not need a placeholder in line. They simply need to let the precinct know they are there and someone will be dispatched outside to their car with the tablet PC. They do not have to wait for hours outside. Definitely recommend bringing a chair, some patience, and good humor. People who are nice about it are more readily accommodated by others in line. Bad attitudes are hard to take on election day, especially when there are 95-year-old great-grandmothers in line with their walkers. With a smile and some sweet talk. I am sure people will work something out for you!

[Anonymous]

OP Here. I have voted! First, my hubby went at 6 am and when he checked in he asked them about it - they said to notify them when I got there and I'd be let up to the front. He waited an hour and half to vote. He also saw a pregnant lady being escorted to the front.

Well, I went in at 8, and was about to ask when I realized that my line (there were 3 lines, sorted by last name) was only 6 people deep...so I decided to just wait. Someone in the line did tell me that she heard I could do curbside voting, but really I didn't care at that point. The whole thing took me about 20-25 minutes.

What a relief. Thanks for all the replies and best of luck to everyone voting.

[Anonymous]

Lots of pregnant women standing in long lines in MoCo. Everyone seemed happy to be there, and there was no talk of cutting.

[Anonymous]

OP - not to be mean or snarky, but in VA there were/are plenty of opportunities for early voting (at the FFx Co. Govt Center) in which there were no lines and you just waltzed right in.

In addition, the polling stations in VA are open for 13 hours so surely you can figure out (the "non rush hour" times) where there is a lull (like between 10-12 or 2-4).

Also, the lines moved, albeit slowly, but it isn't like at the DMV where nothing seems to ever progress. So, you do get a little movement.

Worse case scenario - bring a fold up chair and bottle of water.

...33 weeks preg. and stood for 75 min. and was just fine.

[Anonymous]

OP here- I understand I could have voted early, I just forgot (I have A LOT going on that isn't related to being pg, namely my husband is in the middle of a major health crisis).

I didn't say that pregnant people couldn't stand and wait either - I just know that *I* cannot. My feet swell instantly when I stand for about 20 minutes, and I have sciatica. And as I said, I did end up going during a lull and waiting in the line and doing fine.

Not sure how your comment is helpful at all given that I said I didn't remember to early vote.

[Anonymous]

I voted in Alexandria when the polls opened. The whole thing from start to finish took 2 hours. I brought a little folding chair and it worked out fine for me. There were other people too who brought folding chairs so you will not be the only one. I think they do curbside voting for disabled.

Also got my free tea at Starbucks afterwards! They'll let you sub tea for coffee.