How Virginia Residents Plan To Vote: Patch Survey Results

VIRGINIA — The pandemic is slated to change some voters' habits as we head toward the November election. But according to our Virginia Patch survey, voting by mail isn't the overwhelming choice for readers.

We opened a survey on voting to readers of our Virginia Patch sites from the evening of Friday, Aug. 21 to noon on Monday, Aug. 24. Over 2,500 responses came in, and nearly 900 shared additional thoughts on voting by mail or in person in the election. The survey is not meant to be a scientific poll but rather an informal way to gauge reader sentiment. The majority of our Virginia Patch sites are based in the Northern Virginia region.

Among the 2,516 responses, 44.6 percent said they plan to vote in person on Election Day (Nov. 3). There were 35.9 percent who plan to vote absentee by mail, and 16.3 percent plan to vote absentee at an in-person location. There are 2.9 percent who are undecided, and 0.2 percent do not plan to vote.

In the comment section of the survey, some respondents said they plan to drop off their absentee ballots in person at the registrar's office or drop box.

We next asked readers about whether they were concerned about absentee mail votes being tabulated in time on Election Day. The U.S. Postal Service has been in the news for mail delay concerns and operational changes. The postmaster general ended up delaying the implementation of changes until after the election concludes. Nevertheless, 60.1 percent of respondents said they would be concerned about their vote being counted in time. There were 22.7 percent who said it is not a concern and 17.2 percent said the concern is not applicable to their situation.

There wasn't a majority on the issue of experiencing recent mail delays. There were 43.4 percent who did not experience delays and 42.2 percent who did. The remaining 14.4 percent said they were unsure.

In recent tweets, President Trump has associated universal voting by mail with voter fraud, making a distinction between universal voting by mail and absentee ballots requested by voters. When asked about whether they agree or disagree with the president, 51.7 percent said they disagree, 42.4 percent said they agree, and 5.8 percent said they were unsure.

The next question addressed whether readers had any concerns about voting in person. Health or safety is a concern for 14.7 percent, wait times are concerning for 8.4 percent, and both are factors for 35.9 percent. The highest percentage, 38.5 percent, said neither was a concern for in-person voting. The remaining 2.5 percent were unsure.

Lastly, we gave readers the chance to give additional comments on voting by mail or in person this November. Here are a few of the responses:

• Military has voted by mail successfully for years. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.
• If we can go to grocery stores, restaurants, shops, fly on an airplane then we can stand in line to vote.
• Ideally I’d like for all registered voters to be sent a ballot, which could be mailed back or placed in a ballot drop box. Especially in light of the pandemic, I’d like to see ballot drop boxes installed, possibly at District Supervisors’ offices.
• The lack of ID verification to vote whether by mail or otherwise is totally foolish. Also the proposal to correct someone's error on a ballot totally compromises the integrity of the ballot, if it has to be thrown out, then throw it out. No one should have the right to subjectively decide what a correction on a ballot should be, ever!
• I will be voting in-person, because I am concerned with ballot tampering with mail in voting.
• In-person voting is essential. Absentee voting is essential for those that can not make it to the polls, but photo identification needs to be required when voting. Voting in an American election is a right for American citizens.
• If you can protest or wait in line at a big box store, you can vote in person. If anyone is afraid of in person voting, fill out the absentee information where it’s all verified.
• As a retired naval officer I always voted by mail as did and do a large percentage of military members. It hasn’t been a problem and should not be turned into one now.
• Mail in voting should be mandatory during this pandemic and for the health and safety of everyone.
• I'm concerned about those who refuse to wear masks, refuse to social distance, and long wait lines with them. I'm not worried, but am concerned that Virginia will not be prepared for all the mail in voting.
• I am more concerned about fraud with mail in voting than absentee voting, so I hope anyone who has Covid or a compromised immune system will register their vote through absentee voting.
• No concerns, I’m an election officer and everything worked efficiently in this past June’s primary. People must be patient.
• Please remind mail voters that the earlier they complete and mail their ballots, the better it will be!
• Encourage younger people to work at polling stations. Retirees are very reluctant to work at polls during the pandemic.
• Absentee voting is fine. Sending mass ballots out to all addresses on the registration rolls would be a disaster.
• I am immunocompromised, so voting in person is dangerous for me.
• I am concerned that long wait times will increase the health risk due to COVID-19. My polling place usually has lines in narrow hallways where social distancing will be difficult.
• Need a system and the staff to process the increased number of mail in ballots.
• Should extend voting times to allow for safe in person voting with appropriate safety and social distancing.
• It is our Constitutional right and regardless of red or blue, no one should be allowed to take this from us.
• Please place drop boxes at/near county offices and ensure that mail/in ballots are collected from the boxes daily. These ballot collections should NOT be handled by the postal service.

New Virginia legislation allows no-excuse absentee voting beginning 45 days before Election Day. Check with your local election office for information on early and absentee voting, registering to vote, polling places for Election Day and more voter information.

SEE ALSO: Northam Wants Absentee Ballot Drop-Off Boxes In Virginia: Here's How They'd Work