State Board of Elections certifies ES&S ExpressPoll e-pollbook, approves updated officer training and registrar certification program

The Virginia State Board of Elections unanimously voted at its August virtual meeting to certify Election Systems & Software’s ExpressPoll 7.2.8.0 electronic poll book for use in the Commonwealth, adopt updated officer of election training materials that include the Department of Motor Vehicles’ mobile ID as an acceptable form of identification for in‑person check‑in, and approve revisions to the state’s general registrar certification program.

The board certified the ExpressPoll 7.2.8.0 system after staff and the state‑designated evaluator completed a multi‑phase review and testing process. According to the Department of Elections presentation, Election Systems & Software submitted a technical data packet and corporate paperwork on May 1 and completed phase 1; testing by the vendor, the SLI evaluator and the state designated evaluator occurred July 28–30. A mock election was held July 31 in the City of Newport News with Newport News Director of Elections and General Registrar Vicky Lewis and Chair of the Newport News Electoral Board Susan Youngbluff present. Staff told the board the system “successfully completed the Virginia electronic poll book system standards, state certification requirements, and the applicable Code §24.2‑611.” The board’s roll call on the certification was recorded as five ayes and the motion passed unanimously.

Board members also approved updated training materials for officers of election. Department staff described a new single interactive online course that organizes content into 12 lessons and activities and issues a shareable certificate on completion; printable PDFs remain available for jurisdictions that use in‑person sessions. Commissioner Susan Beals told the board that one of the training updates explicitly recognizes the DMV mobile ID as an acceptable form of identification for in‑person check‑in, and she emphasized that the mobile ID “is not an app that is used to vote a ballot. There is no online or app based voting in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Beals added, “We only vote on paper ballots which are hand marked by voters.” The board voted unanimously to adopt the training materials.

The board then approved revisions to the General Registrar Certification Program. Department staff said the program implements Code of Virginia §24.2‑103(C), requiring newly appointed or reappointed general registrars to complete certification within 12 months. The revised curriculum is delivered as an online interactive series of 11 courses; staff said content is reviewed annually to remain current with legislation and election deadlines. During discussion a board member asked what happens if a registrar does not complete certification; Commissioner Beals said registrars are notified they are out of compliance but did not say the employee would automatically lose their position.

The meeting opened and closed with routine housekeeping: the board approved the July 1, 2025 meeting minutes by roll call and heard there were no public comments during the scheduled public comment period. The board also recessed into a closed session under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(7) to discuss threatened litigation; Commissioner Beals and attorneys Andrew Murphy and Dennis Polio (Office of the Attorney General) attended the closed session at the board’s invitation. The board reconvened in open session and certified the closed session by roll call.

The board noted it will meet in person on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. to certify results of the special election in the 11th Congressional District; staff said ballot proofing for the November elections will begin the week of Aug. 15 and that early voting for November will begin Sept. 19.