Charlotte County electoral board confirms recount totals, readies for fall election with staffing and security plans

The Charlotte County Electoral Board met Sept. 5, 2024, at the office of the General Registrar and approved routine minutes and recount reports while outlining preparations for the coming election cycle.

At the start of the meeting Chairman Glenn Baker noted a quorum was present. The board unanimously approved the minutes of its July 3 meeting, the logic-and-accuracy (L&A) session report for a 5th district recount, and a recount of the 5th Congressional District primary; Vice Chairman Glenwood Foster moved each approval and they passed "approved without objection." The board also adjourned at 3:05 p.m. on a motion by Foster.

General Registrar Jenni Booth presented a written registrar's report that included invoices and payroll submitted to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for payment, an updated officers-of-election list with assignments, and a special recount review. Booth said a recount conducted Aug. 1, 2024, left Charlotte County’s totals unchanged.

Booth summarized takeaways from the VRAV conference on Aug. 4, citing the need for heightened election security measures, clearer ballot-custody procedures, guidance about removing absentee ballots from drop boxes, and concerns about staffing. She said the upcoming presidential-cycle election will require more detailed reporting and additional paperwork.

At the Aug. 30 regional meeting in Lunenburg County, representatives from nearby localities discussed coordination for the presidential election and approaches to staffing shortages, including phone outreach and in-person recruitment. Vicky Mainwaring, the locality liaison, told the board each locality remains subject to selection for a risk-limiting audit (RLA); she said the State Board of Elections on Sept. 3 approved RLA procedures that use batch comparison for congressional races and ballot polling for Senate races.

The board reviewed its officers-of-election roster and discussed the possibility of assigning five election officers per precinct (a chief, an assistant chief and three additional officers). Members emphasized using the most experienced officials as chiefs and assistant chiefs and noted that training for the election will be extensive.

Booth listed upcoming operational dates: Sept. 17 for L&A on early-voting and cap machines; Sept. 20 to begin early voting; Oct. 15 as the voter registration deadline; Oct. 25 as the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot; and Saturday early-voting on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.

The board also directed that the Voting System Security Plan be updated and refined before submission and reviewed at the next meeting. Annual ADA compliance tasks were referred to the board secretary to complete. Booth said she and staff will conduct early-voting trials to determine whether additional election officers are needed to accommodate heavy turnout; she also noted the registrar has hired an assistant.

The meeting concluded with routine adjournment procedures. No citizen comments were received during the public-comment period.