Fairfax County registrar caught up in absentee ballot controversy

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October 29 2008

The general registrar of Fairfax County was thrust into a statewide and nationwide controversy when Virginia state law seemed to mandate that some soldiers' absentee ballots be disregarded. Rokey Suleman II, who had been in the job for only a few months, followed the guidance of the Board of Elections and set aside 63 federal absentee ballots that had not been completely filled out.[1]

Registrar caught in a no-win situation

But everyone from local politicians to both presidential candidates called for the ballots to be counted. The state attorney general ruled on Monday that the ballots met the requirements of federal law, freeing Fairfax County to record them. While the outcome was still in doubt Suleman said he was upset that he could not count the ballots, but that he was bound by state law. Some didn't see it that way, and Suleman was attacked by bloggers, politicians and at least one emailer who issued a death threat.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Fairfax Times, Absentee ballots stir controversy, October 29 2008
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