Which state should I vote in? VA or FL?

[Moloch]

I'm registered to vote in Virginia but moved to Florida a few months ago. Virginia polls have generally been tighter and I believe Obama has a slight lead in the RCP average although mcbush only has something like a .3 lead in Florida... I want my vote to have the most impact but deadlines are coming close and I need to make a decision in a hurry.

Please tell me which state you think I should vote in.

[bookman]

1. Va.

[RoccoR5955]

2. Why not both! Vote early, vote often, I say! n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

5. Cause it's illegal?

[Moloch]

8. I'd love to vote in both..

but I don't see how I could legally do it.

[blondeatlast]

11. Please don't even suggest that here. nt

[RoccoR5955]

57. Sorry, I forgot the sarcasm tag. n/t

[Occam Bandage]

You can't.

[rvablue]

35. Please delete this post. It makes DU look bad. n/t

[blondeatlast]

41. I alerted as soon as I saw it. I remember posts like this from 2004, too.

I don't think the mods have seen it yet but they removed the entire threads back then--as they should.

This is advocating illegal activity.

[rvablue]

45. Thanks for the amen. I'm new, so didn't know if I went too far... n/t

glad to here that they take allusions to activity like this as seriously as they do.
Not good.

[blondeatlast]

49. Please alert. the mods often don't get them even on the most obvious violations.

They need all the help they can get. :hi:

[DCBob]

3. Florida. I think we got VA covered.

[rvablue]

40. No, not because "we have it covered" because that is what the law says. n/t

BTW, I live in VA.
If you don't have a residence here, you can't vote here.
Until it is edited, there is nothing from the OP to indicate they are a student.

[my3boyz]

4. VA nt

[blondeatlast]

6. Progressives do it legally. Register in FL ASAP. Simple as that.

I can't even believe I'm seeing this here.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. I think there's a certain time period where it's still legal, but it depends on state law

The one law that is clear is you can't vote in both because it's illegal to vote twice in the same federal election.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

7. Da pundits are sayin'

that Florida is turning into a shoo-in for Obama, so i'd say Virginia.

[Hippo_Tron]

9. Virginia, because if it's down to the razor in Florida then Obama has already won

Florida is swing state but one that trends red. If McCain can't win Florida by more than a few thousand votes then he's finished.

[LynneSin]

10. Knowing how the republicans will challenge everything, vote in Florida

Both states are swing states, Mark Warner has the senate race pretty much wrapped up in VA, so vote in Florida. That way there is little challenge on your location.

[Abacus]

13. Hm, I'd go with FL

Over twice the EVs and the race is within a single point.

[jberryhill]

14. If you no longer reside in Virginia

...and you have moved to Florida with the intent to establish your residence there, then you should register and vote in Florida, and not in Virginia.

The suggestion that you would cast a fraudulent ballot in Virginia does not belong here.

[CalGator]

15. concur

Both are swing states and we don't know which could be closer, but you should vote in Florida if you are now a Floridian and have established legal residence.

[Moloch]

17. How is that fraudulent?

I am registered to vote in Virginia.. I could easily get an absentee ballot.

[Barack_America]

19. If you are no longer a resident of Virginia, you shouldn't be registered in VA. nt

[MNDemNY]

21. You are NOT LEGALLY registered in VA. You don't live there.

[jberryhill]

26. The OP is "registered" in VA, but not qualifed to vote in VA /nt

[MNDemNY]

44. Yes, not LEGALLY registered.

[jberryhill]

48. I posted the relevant statute below in the thread

While it's an academic distinction as applied to this person, the OP is "legally registered" provided that the OP was qualified to register in VA at the time he/she registered to vote. That act of registration is not rendered "illegal" by leaving VA.

However, despite having lawfully registered to vote in the state of VA and being lawfully registered therein, the OP is not "qualified to vote" in VA.

But it is incorrect to say that the OP is "not LEGALLY registered". The registration will ultimately be purged through non-voting in VA or other procedures provided in the VA election statute.

The OP has not done anything illegal. Proposing to vote in VA would be an illegal act, regardless of the lawful registration there, as the statute requires the voter to be (a) registered and (b) qualified to vote, which are two independent conditions to cast a legal ballot in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

K?

[jberryhill]

24. Read the law

Being "registered to vote" and being "qualified to vote" are two different things, both of which are required to be entitled to vote in Virginia. If you are "registered to vote" then you can vote in the precinct where you reside. Do you reside in any precinct in Virginia? You said you moved.

§ 24.2-400. Persons entitled to register and vote.

Any person who is not registered to vote, but would otherwise be a qualified voter, is entitled to register to vote as provided in this chapter. Any person who is registered to vote and is a qualified voter shall be entitled to vote in the precinct where he resides.

(Code 1950, §§ 24-17, 24-22, 24-23; 1963, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-41; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 205, 265; 1974, c. 428; 1977, c. 490; 1978, c. 778; 1993, c. 641.)

Now, IF you have moved outside of Virginia, then you can vote in the presidential election if your move was less than thirty days prior to the presidential election:


§ 24.2-402. Persons moving from Commonwealth fewer than thirty days before presidential election.

A person who is qualified to vote except for having moved his residence from the Commonwealth after the thirtieth day preceding a presidential election may vote in the precinct from which he has moved only in that election and only for electors of President and Vice President of the United States.

The officers of election shall deliver to any person who asks to vote under this section the paper ballot for electors of President and Vice President of the United States and no other ballot. The ballot shall be voted, handled, and counted with other like ballots in accordance with the provisions of this title.

(Code 1950, §§ 24-17, 24-22, 24-23; 1963, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-41; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 119, 205, 265, § 24.1-41.1; 1974, c. 428; 1977, c. 490; 1978, c. 778; 1993, c. 641.)

From what you have said, if you have left the Commonwealth of Virginia with the intent of establishing a residence in Florida and you now reside in Florida, then whether you are registered in Virginia is irrelevant - you would not be qualified to vote in Virginia, because you are no longer a resident of Virginia.

[progressivemom]

16. Welcome to Florida!

You are now a FL resident, so vote here...dilemma solved :)

[FloridaGrl]

33. I agree

[Barack_America]

18. Unless you are a student, Florida.

If you're a student you could still declare Virginia your permanent home and Florida just your school address.

[MNDemNY]

20. You dumb-as, you must vote in Florida...that is wereyou live.

Or are you willing to commit voter fraud?

[quakerboy]

22. Register ASAP

vote where you live. easy choice.

[Occam Bandage]

23. If you're a student, VA. If you live in FL, FL.

[nam78_two]

25. I think it is illegal unless you vote in FL-you probably need to hurry up and register

There are only a few days left to register-good luck :hi:.

[secondwind]

27. Florida............too many fundies there, and pro-Republican hispanics

[JoePhilly]

28. VA ... they will steal your vote in FL!!!! nt

[thatsrightimirish]

29. virginia

i would play it safe, you never can be too confident (if it is legal)

[crazy_vanilla]

30. VA nt

[Cali_Democrat]

31. VA

[adamuu]

32. No voter fraud please. Resident students are allowed to span states... you're not. n/t

[rvablue]

34. There is only one RIGHT answer to this

vote where you legally reside, which from your post sounds like FLA.

There is going to be enough shenanigans up here (I'm in VA) and is best that you cast the most legitimate ballot.

If you do not have a residence here, then you should not vote here.

[grantcart]

36. FL

[demo dutch]

37. If you reside in FL you should vote in FL besides it's 27 electoral votes! and we need all the help

we can get to deliver FL for Obama

[rvablue]

38. No, the poster should register in FLA because that is where they live. n/t

[Secret_Society]

39. Virginia

[chupacabranation]

42. FL because...

...it's a lot closer in FL right now. I live in VA and I think the Dems will take the state, if we have good turnout...

...I am not so sure about FL.

[Every Man A King]

43. OMG please VA... we have a Dem governor nt

[rvablue]

46. OMG!!! I don't think so. If OP doesn't live it is illegal. n/t

[Every Man A King]

50. OP said they moved

Could mean a million things. Ill give my opinion you can be judge and jury.

[jberryhill]

53. Which is why...

I asked the OP above whether he/she moved to Florida with the intent of establishing and maintaining a residence there and ceasing to reside in Virginia.

The OP didn't answer that question.

You are correct that "moved" is ambiguous, but taking the most common meaning of what folks generally mean by "moved", it would be a safe bet that this person no longer resides in Virginia, and now resides in Florida.

[blondeatlast]

47. Anyone who suggests other than FL is advocating breaking the law and doesn't belong here,

IMHO.

You are NOT helping Obama/Biden that way.

[jberryhill]

51. Some folks are genuinely ignorant, but yes you are correct that this person...

...is not qualified to lawfully vote in Virginia.

Note the "but I'm registered there" comment above. Could be simple ignorance.

[blondeatlast]

54. I hope so. I'm concerned more about those that responded with VA. nt

[Divine Discontent]

52. I had to choose between another state and FL and chose FL living in 2 locales.

I believe VA is pretty much a done Obama deal - FL is surely a 2+ lead for McCain imo. Times are changing here, and Obama could literally be neck and neck with McWar so I believe FL is the best use for your one vote. But if you no longer LIVE in VA, you must vote in FL.

MORE AT www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[Kahuna]

55. VA! nt

[CK_John]

56. If you put in a Post Office change of address the GOP in Va probably have already caged your ballot

Also could be used as evidence of federal fraud in VA.