Despite the approaching voter registration deadline for the Nov. 6 statewide elections, local registrars are reporting little increase in voter registration this year.
This year's slow increase in statewide registration has been attributed to the past success of so-called motor voter laws, which allow citizens to register to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles offices. Since the passage of motor voter legislation, more than 900,000 Virginians already have registered to vote.
Charlottesville Deputy Registrar Clarice Shermerhorn said she believes the 2000 presidential election played a role in this year's low registration turnout. Voters who registered for last year's election do not need to register again this year.
"People tend to [vote] because of a presidential election," Shermerhorn said. "For whatever reason, they don't consider city council, gubernatorial or House of Delegates votes as personally important to them."
Despite the general trend in voter registration around the state, several University groups have made efforts to keep registration numbers up on Grounds.
The University Democrats manned a voter information table on the second floor of Newcomb Hall last week. The volunteer-run table offered voter registration paperwork, absentee ballot applications and registrar contact information.
According to University Democrats Vice President Sarah Lovelace, the organization had a special interest in reaching large out-of-state student populations, especially from New Jersey and New York.
The College Republicans worked with presidents of various University organizations to offer voter material at group meetings.
"What we've done is pretty much face-to-face, one-on-one stuff," College Republicans President Adam Hatcher said. "We've been going out to local groups, like ROTC and Greeks. It hasn't been as visible but I think we've gotten a lot done."
Contested state races this year include the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general offices. Additionally, some Virginia ballots will include a local seat on the Virginia House of Delegates.
Charlottesville also will hold elections in November for the commonwealth's attorney, sheriff, commissioner of revenue and treasurer.
The primary candidates of the gubernatorial election also are doing their part to encourage and promote voter registration, particularly among young adults. Locally, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark R. Warner's campaign is working with the University group Wahoos for Warner to help turn out the vote among University students. Warner also appeared at a University Democrats campaign rally at Alumni Hall on Sept. 19.
Similarly, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark L. Earley's campaign recently sent representatives from Youth for Earley to the University and Piedmont Virginia Community College.
Applications for absentee ballots are available until Election Day to voters who already are registered. Virginia law dictates that absentee ballots must arrive at the Office of the General Registrar before 7 p.m. on Election Day to count in the election numbers.
To verify or obtain registration information, citizens may contact their local registrars or the State Board of Elections at (800) 552-9745. Citizens can confirm registration online at the State Board of Elections Web site.
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