Charlotte County Electoral Board records Goode as registrar through June 30, 2023 after 2-1 vote

The Charlotte County Electoral Board voted 2-1 on Thursday, July 1 (year not specified in the transcript) to record in the meeting minutes that Mr. Goode is the county registr ar until June 30, 2023, citing statutory guidance and the board’s interpretation of Code 24.2-110. Vice Chairman Warren Browning moved to place that statement in the minutes and Mrs. Powell seconded; the motion carried with Browning and Powell voting yes and Secretary Glenwood Foster opposed.

The motion grew out of a dispute over whether an interim registrar’s appointment was limited to June 30, 2021 as stated in the original appointment motion, or whether Code 24.2-110 required the interim official to serve the remainder of the former registrar’s term through June 30, 2023. Board members said they sought and received differing opinions from the county attorney and the Department of Elections and elected to act on the Department of Elections’ guidance.

The motion text was put on the record by Mr. Browning, who said, "I make a motion that it be put into the minutes that according to code and our understanding of it, that Mr. Goode is the Registrar until June 30th 2023." Secretary Glenwood Foster earlier stated that the vote taken at the June 24 meeting had occurred in closed session and "in his opinion was illegal or didn’t count," and he voted against the July 1 motion. An attendee, Mr. Fane, had questioned why paperwork to swear in Mr. Goode had not been submitted; Mr. Fane said he had offered to help the interim registrar obtain an attorney when concerns arose.

Board members did not record additional formal remedies or a court outcome in the meeting; the July 1 action placed the board’s understanding and the Department of Elections’ advice into the minutes. The board recessed to review minutes, discussed scheduling and adjourned with a rescheduled meeting set for 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 15 at the County Administration Building.

This article reports only what was stated in the meeting transcript; the transcript does not specify the year of the July 1 meeting and does not include a court ruling or other final legal determination about the appointment.