Patrick County supervisors vote to block early voting until 90‑day constitutional period expires

At a special called meeting, the Patrick County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution directing the county general registrar and electoral board not to commence early voting on a proposed constitutional amendment before April 16, 2026, the end of the 90‑day constitutional waiting period.

The board’s chair read the resolution aloud, citing Article 12, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia and noting that final passage of House Joint Resolution 4 occurred on Jan. 16, 2026. The resolution states that 90 days from that date expires on April 16 and that early voting had been scheduled to begin March 6, which the board said would occur prior to the constitutional period’s expiration. The resolution directs that "no county‑owned facilities or county resources shall be made available to conduct early voting on the proposed constitutional amendment prior to April 16, 2026, unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such early voting is constitutionally permissible," and authorizes Tim Anderson to represent the board in any court proceedings. It also directs the board clerk to transmit the resolution immediately to the Virginia State Board of Elections and the Office of the Attorney General.

Why it matters: Board members framed the measure as a constitutional duty rather than a partisan act. One member told the chair that changes "that can affect our national elections should not be rushed through" and said they gave "full support for this resolution." Another member said the resolution "is much more than about just trying to delay the start of early voting," calling constitutional amendments "supreme laws of the Commonwealth" and asserting the General Assembly rushed the process. That same speaker said the General Assembly had "violated their own rules on multiple occasions" and accused it of seeking to "intentionally disenfranchise millions of our citizens," urging other localities to pass similar resolutions to prompt review by the Supreme Court or the General Assembly.

A motion to approve the resolution "as drafted" was made and seconded; the chair then called the vote. The transcript records Mr. Marshall, Mr. Kendrick and Mr. Wood each voting "I," and an additional member also voting "I." The chair announced, "The resolution passes." The meeting concluded with applause and the chair announcing the next regular meeting for March 9 at 6 p.m.

What happens next: The resolution asks state officials to review the legal question and instructs county officials not to provide county facilities or resources for early voting until a court determines it is permissible. The board’s action does not itself alter state election schedules; it communicates the board’s position and reserves the county’s resources pending legal clarification.

The board did not specify which court, if any, it plans to ask to rule on the question; the resolution only authorizes legal representation and transmission of the resolution to state election authorities and the attorney general.