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Vice chairman's motion to publish list from former registrar's office fails; he calls vote a 'coverup'
Summary
A motion by Vice Chairman Glenwood Foster to place a list of items found in the former registrar's office into the July 7 minutes failed 1–2 after Foster accused fellow board members of conducting a 'coverup.' The items have been turned over to State Police investigators and the Commonwealth Special Prosecutor.
A motion to include in the official minutes a list of items found in the former registrar's office failed 1–2 at the Charlotte County Electoral Board meeting on July 7.
Vice Chairman Glenwood Foster moved to place the list into the minutes; Secretary Aubrey Fane seconded the motion. Foster argued the list should be public and said withholding it amounted to a coverup. "The board is failing to represent the people of the county by conducting a coverup," Foster said during the meeting.
Chairman Glenn Baker and Secretary Aubrey Fane opposed immediate publication. They said the items had already been turned over to State Police investigators and the Commonwealth Special Prosecutor and that releasing the list prematurely could jeopardize the integrity of an ongoing criminal investigation and infringe on privacy. Baker said he had attempted to contact the special prosecutor to ask whether publication would be appropriate but had not received a response.
The recorded vote was Foster yes; Baker no; Fane no, and the motion failed. No citizens spoke during the public-comment period. Foster told the board he would continue efforts to make the list public.
The board agreed to defer to investigators' guidance before releasing any evidence-related lists; members also reiterated their plan to protect privacy for individuals referenced in the material until official direction is received.
