Lawsuit Calls For Extended Va. Voting Hours

With record breaking voter turnout expected in Virginia, some are calling for an extension of poll hours.

Former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder, now the mayor of Richmond, said polling places should close at 10 p.m. instead of the usual 7p.m., giving voters an extra three hours to cast their ballots on Election Day.

Since January, some 436,000 new Virginia voters have been registered, and some said they are concerned that the state is not prepared to handle the crowds.

The NAACP has filed suit against Virginia, claiming that the state does not have enough voting machines in minority precincts and asking for an extension of voting hours.

A fedederal judge will hear the case in Richmond on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said the state is ready for election day. He said there are double the number of voting machines as there were in 2004 and that anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

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