I'm upset about this. I witnessed my elderly mother's absentee ballot today (of course, she voted straight Democratic, because she wanted to) I didn't have to know but I know how she would vote because we've discussed it for months. But you know absentee ballots are no safer than any other kind, because of this. I'd like to know why a pencil was required to join the arrows on the ballot. And I really also think the whole absentee ballot process in Virginia is confusing because you have to sign over the envelope they send and my mother can do this but it is not intuitive for her to sign over an envelope flap where there is really tiny print. I won't get into the ballot which I did read to her, that is another story. The wording of some of the amendment proposals is really weird. She in fact voted for one I wouldn't have, about the churches not incorporating, but I smell rats in this process where she does not. That is still her choice and I was glad to help her with it, without telling her how I would vote (not the anti-gay marriage thing, she knew she was against that!).
So that is my take on the ballot this year. Plus we had numerous verbose Prince William County spending efforts which it surpised me that she voted for (she never did when I was young). Maybe I'm just an influence on her that way. I always thought we needed the bonds for the roads here back then.