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Registrar warns of equipment, space and staffing needs ahead of upcoming primaries; security standards may require new purchases
Summary
The county registrar told supervisors that registered voter rolls grew and the office is short‑staffed and undersized; the office flagged future Election Assistance Commission security standards potentially requiring new equipment and requested secure storage and building improvements.
The Amelia County Registrar briefed the board on election operations, staffing and storage needs as the county approaches the governor’s-year primaries and the November general election.
The registrar said the county’s official 2020 census population figure is 13,265 and a 2024 intercensal estimate is about 13,006; registered voters increased by a net of 778 from 2020 to 2024, with a current total of 10,613 registered voters. The office reported 1.5 permanent employees supported by seasonal officers of election (about 40 active officers of election) for polling operations.
The registrar outlined a busy electoral calendar (dual primaries in March and June, a special state Senate District 5 election and the November general). Looking ahead, the registrar said new Election Assistance Commission (EAC) security standards are likely within one to two years and could require replacement of voting equipment, potentially costing in the low six figures depending on EAC requirements and how vendors are judged to comply.
Office needs identified included secure storage (a keypad lock and camera on the storeroom door), replacement of some rickety voting booths for safety and more office space to provide privacy for voters and room for required secure storage. The presenter said a modest amount of budget flexibility this year could address some items (for example, a keypad door), but larger replacements and equipment upgrades would require capital planning.
The registrar also flagged workforce pressure: early voting and busy election seasons strain the 1.5 permanent staff and poll worker pools; anticipated state wage changes could affect poll worker compensation and county payroll planning.
No board vote was taken; the registrar asked the board to keep secure storage, booth replacement and space planning on the radar as the budget and security compliance discussions proceed.
