Charlotte County Electoral Board programs recount machines, approves Atlantic Election contract and discusses staffing

Charlotte County Electoral Board members met in the weeks before the Aug. 1 recount to prepare equipment and review election operations.

On July 29, Dominion personnel arrived at the General Registrar's office to program four machines for the recount. The machines were set so one would count CAP (early) votes by precinct, one would count election-day precinct votes by precinct, one would count absentee ballots, and one was reserved for emergency use. Because the court order limited the recount to votes cast in the Republican primary for Virginia's 5th Congressional District, the machines were programmed to accept only those ballots; other ballots were rejected during the L&A process. The programming and testing process was observed by Chris Shares, a representative of the Bob Good campaign.

The Board also reviewed logistics from the primary: the truck bays at the Drakes Branch Fire House were reported as too hot on election day and the Board discussed obtaining an additional tent sign and chains to make signs easier to handle. The General Registrar, Jenni Booth, described staffing needs for the Registrar's office: two part-time workers will be replaced by one full-time hire, and a letter requesting funding for the position and benefit package was sent to the Board of Supervisors, which was scheduled to meet July 10. Board members were reminded that a webinar on new laws effective July 1 was required (webinar July 30).

The Board reviewed the Atlantic Election contract; Secretary Aubrey Fane moved to accept the contract, Assistant Chair Glenwood Foster seconded the motion, and the contract was accepted without objection. The Board adjourned on a motion by Mr. Fane carried without objection. The minutes record these procedural and preparatory steps but do not include funding amounts or detailed staffing contract terms.