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Virginia court voids Shenandoah County special referendum; board records 99 provisional ballots accepted
Summary
The Shenandoah County Electoral Board completed its canvass and processed 101 provisional ballots for an April 21 special referendum; Registrar Lisa W. McDonald reported the Supreme Court of Virginia later overturned that election (4–3) because early voting began without the 90‑day notice required by law.
The Shenandoah County Electoral Board completed post‑election canvass activity and processed provisional ballots tied to the April 21 special referendum, but the General Registrar told the board the result was later voided by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Registrar Lisa W. McDonald reported at the board’s May 28 meeting that the state’s high court overturned the special referendum by a 4–3 vote, citing a procedural error: the record showed there were not 90 days of notice before the start of early voting. McDonald said staff are preparing paperwork and receipts to seek possible reimbursement from the commonwealth for costs related to the special election.
The board’s canvass meetings on April 21–22 and April 26 reviewed Statements of Results and provisional ballots. The board entered closed session under State Code Section 2.2‑3711(A)(34) to examine provisional ballot envelopes and related materials. Of 101 provisional ballots (74 same‑day registration provisional ballots and 27 other provisional ballots), the board accepted 99 and rejected 2 after review; required documentation was completed and submitted to the General Registrar.
CAP (Central Absentee Precinct) staff completed post‑election processing of absentee ballots and recorded paysheet and mileage documentation. Registrar McDonald completed the election Abstract in VERIS; Chair Jacob French, Vice Chair Beverly Harrison and Secretary Gayle Wellard signed and sealed the hard‑copy Abstract following Election Night reporting procedures.
The board noted discrepancies flagged on some precinct Statements of Results and tally sheets and identified incident reports from satellite polling places for additional research. Those items were set for further discussion at the regular board meeting scheduled for May 7.
The board did not take any public action to reopen or alter the canvass record during the May 28 meeting; McDonald’s report of the Supreme Court decision was presented as a factual update on the legal status of the special referendum.
