Loudoun Democrats Decry Cut in Early Voting Opportunities

Loudoun County Democrats are criticizing the county Electoral Board for its latest action restricting opportunities for residents to vote early in the fall 2024 elections.

 “Loudoun Republicans continue to reduce access to in-person voting because they know their policies are unpopular with voters,” said John LoGalbo, chair of Voter Protection for the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.

 The Loudoun Electoral Board voted 2-1 on August 15 to reduce the number of Saturdays available for in-person early voting from three to two. Two Republican Board members supported the motion, and the one Democratic member voted no. The action comes after the Republican-controlled Board’s 2-1 decision in 2023 that eliminated the only Sunday available for early voting.

County residents packed the August 15 meeting, with some telling the Board that many residents’ jobs and family responsibilities will make it difficult if not impossible for them to vote early under the new schedule.

“Why would anyone think it’s a good idea to remove one of the three Saturdays during early voting, when there’s no question we’re going to see extremely high turnout in this election,” LoGalbo asked the Board.

Electoral Board Chair Shelley Oberlander said managing early voting “is an incredible responsibility and burden” for election staff. She added that state law requires only two Saturdays of early voting and “I propose that we follow the law.”

However, speakers said that Loudoun County has a responsibility to make voting available as widely as possible and that reducing opportunities smacks of voter suppression. “I’ve watched the popularity of early voting really take hold,” said Bev Ricci, co-chair of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee’s Membership Committee. “I strongly urge you to continue to offer Saturday and Sunday early voting.”

Elections Office staff reported that Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties each allow early voting on one or two Sundays and permit early voting on three to four Saturdays during the fall. Staff added that there has been a major increase in Loudoun voter registration this summer and that early voting is projected to be double that of recent elections—approaching 75,000 people. Saturday is the most popular day for early voting in the county.

All registered voters are eligible to cast ballots early in Virginia, with no excuse required. In-person early voting for the fall 2024 elections is scheduled to start on Friday, Sept. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 750 Miller Dr. SE in Leesburg. Satellite locations in Purcellville, Sterling, and South Riding will also be available for in-person early voting starting on Monday, October 21.