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County Democrat Party chair raises concerns over misinformation and supports music at polling places
Summary
Jeff Webster, chair of the Rockingham County Democratic Party, told the Board of Elections that a reported shooting incident described at a prior meeting did not appear in police records and urged continued use of music at polling places; he also suggested returning polling locations to schools where feasible.
Jeff Webster, chairman of the Rockingham County Democratic Party, spoke during the meeting’s public-comment period on March 18, addressing two items raised at an earlier meeting: music at polling places and an alleged shooting incident.
"Elections are traditionally a time for celebration and community," Webster said, urging support for music at polling places within existing guidelines. He recalled that at the last election a DJ took requests and attendees enjoyed songs ranging from patriotic music to Motown.
Webster also addressed a claim that an altercation occurred involving officers and a group of teenage boys reportedly shooting firearms from a car as they drove by a location he identified as Zion. He said a party member contacted Major Ellison at the Rietzville Police Department and "we learned that there were no reports of shootings as was described." Webster characterized the spread of that account as potentially harmful misinformation and thanked the board for relocating polling places to better serve a growing population.
He concluded by saying the party would welcome discussions about returning polling locations to schools where space and parking are more readily available.
