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Haymarket considers in-person absentee-voting station
Western Prince William County residents may not have to commute to Manassas to cast an absentee ballot in person this October if a proposal before the Haymarket Town Council is approved.
On Monday, Tony Guiffre of the county Electoral Board stopped by Town Hall to discuss a plan that would set up voting booths at the Haymarket Museum 30 days prior to the Nov. 4 election.
Qualifying county residents who may not be around to vote in person on Election Day and who do not want to mail in an absentee ballot would be able to stop into the museum from Oct. 5 to Nov. 3 to cast ballots on the same machines used at regular polling stations.
There are currently two such places in the entire county: One at the registrar’s office in Manassas and another at the DMV in Woodbridge.
If the town council approves the measure as expected at its July 7 meeting, the U.S. Department of Justice and Board of County Supervisors would both have to sign off on the notion.
Administrative costs to run such an operation would be between $30,000 and $40,000 at the maximum, according to Guiffre. Two staffers would be required to be stationed there during operating hours.
The county would cover most of that cost, though the new head of the electoral board said if there are state and federal dollars available, he will try to secure them.
That could be the main red tape in a year when the county is already strapped for cash.
“We’re expecting a huge number of voters to show up for the election,” Guiffre told the council. He said that the more voters the county can take care of prior to Election Day, the better.
Haymarket Planning Commission Chair Linda Landwehr said the last time such a proposal came up, the weight of the voting machines was considered a problem because of possible damage to the floor of the museum.
The particular machines that would be installed at the museum this time would be light enough for him to carry and could be locked in cages if the museum were to remain open for business not related to the election, said Guiffre.
“So, it’s less than 100 pounds?” asked Landwehr.
“Sheesh, it’s less than 40 pounds,” replied Guiffre to a round of laughs from the audience.
Guiffre, a resident of Catharpin, reckoned the Haymarket Museum is an ideal place for in-person absentee ballots.
The building is owned by the town, so it is secure and public. It has an entrance ramp, so it is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The location, in the middle of town at 15025 Washington St., with an adjoining parking lot also makes it convenient and accessible.
There are three instructions for those who would like to cast absentee ballots.
“Drive in, sign a document that they feel they can’t be here on Election Day, and vote,” said Guiffre.
If voters use the in-person absentee-balloting station in Haymarket this year, then it may return to the museum annually, according to Guiffre.
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