State Board directs legal action to seek removal of election officials in Norfolk, Franklin and Waynesboro; Radford case dismissed

The Virginia State Board of Elections voted on Jan. 15 to ask its legal staff to prepare petitions to local circuit courts seeking removal of election officials in three localities and dismissed consideration of a fourth.

The actions followed a lengthy public hearing and a closed-session review of complaints concerning the City of Norfolk, the City of Franklin, and the City of Waynesboro. The board directed preparation of petitions for removal to the Franklin Circuit Court for General Registrar Jennifer Maynard, to the Waynesboro Circuit Court for electoral board member Curtis Lilly, and to the Norfolk Circuit Court for Norfolk electoral board member Mary Anne McKay. The board voted to dismiss consideration of removal in Radford for insufficient basis. All three removal directives passed on roll-call votes (5–0).

Board chair James O'Bannon convened a multi-hour review after staff presentations and testimony from dozens of witnesses and officials from the affected localities. The board said it would have its attorneys prepare the formal petitions under Va. Code §24.2-103 so the matters can be decided by the courts.

Why it matters: Removal of registrars or electoral board members is a rare, legally consequential step. It triggers a court process that tests whether officials failed to discharge duties required by Virginia law.

What the board heard

Norfolk: Complaints alleged repeated interference with election operations, disrespectful and harassing behavior toward staff and chiefs of precincts, and procedural problems during the high-volume…