ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 8, 1996 TAG: 9611080094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE and ROBERT LITTLE STAFF WRITERS
VIRGINIANS' ABSENCE FROM THE POLLS appears to vindicate critics who predicted the federally mandated law would not translate into increased participation
Virginians' participation fell in this year's presidential election, despite a new ``motor voter'' law making it easier for people to register.
There were nearly 2.4 million ballots cast in Virginia, down from more than 2.5 million four years ago, according to unofficial returns.
The low turnout appears to vindicate critics who predicted the federally mandated ``motor voter'' law would not translate into increased participation.
Roanoke County voter registrar Diane St.John said some people who filled out paperwork at Department of Motor Vehicle offices did not even realize they had registered to vote.
``When we called them to get some information, they would say: `Where did you get that? I didn't want to be registered,''' St. John said.
Motor voter helped boost the state's voter rolls to 3.3 million, an increase of 260,000 from four years ago.
Because the rolls had grown, the slight decrease in voter participation sent turnout rates plummeting to about 71 percent, down from 84.5 percent in 1992.
LENGTH: Short : 34 linesby CNB