Virginia for Election Transparency

Free and Fair Elections are crucial for a Republic to survive.

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Locality: Chesapeake City

File Name: Chesapeake City Survey 20210903




ObserversRichard Kay, Eleanor Kay, Vivian Payne
Date of interview09/03/2021
Time and date of initial call and email:08/27/2021
Time and date of response:08/27/2021
Did the registrar refuse to meet you:No
If yes, please provide the reason given for not meeting:
Survey Answers
1. What is your biggest concern about the upcoming election?Inundated with FOIA requests - Interferring with getting job done. Results + breakdown of results - voter equip. copies of contract
2. Any other major concerns?Outside agents using FOIA + getting the answers back to them in a timely manner
3. Do you feel like you have the resources, equipment, personnel, and training needed to run an effective election in November?Yes
3a. Any additional information?They receive everything they need.
4. If no, what is missing?
5. The county election board is supposed to consist of 2 Democrats and a Republican under a Democrat governor, but in some areas, boards have had trouble finding willing Republicans and have appointed an Independent instead, or another Democrat. What is the situation in this county?2D+R
6. What about precinct staff? Are you able to have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans?Refused
6a. Provide DetailsElection Officers - Balance of chiefs + assts. more Dems than Gops, always need more.
7. Is the county Board of Elections engaged in your work year-round, or mostly near elections?Mostly
7a. Any additional information?In/off season, make avail as needed
8. When was the last audit of the voter file in your county?
8a. No. of days since last audit: Every 2 years
8b. Any additional information?'Hopper' monthly / ongoing. Complicated - hand roll at state level
9a. Does the Health Department send a list of deceased people to your office every month so they can be removed from the voter roll?Yes
9b. If no, how often do they send a list?Goes to state + state passes on
10. When was the last time the Clerk of Courts submitted a list of individuals who declined to serve on jury duty on the basis of being a non-citizen?
10a. Any additional information?Monthly as needed
Record date and other list(s), if relevantMonthly as needed
11. When was the last time you had access to the National Change of Address List or any other change of address list?
Other list(s):Yearly, usually around July
12a. Are you confident that the voter file is accurate and up to date?Yes
12b. If no, what is/are your main concern(s) about the list?As best as can be with info provided
13. How many households in your locality have more than 7 individuals registered at the same address? Number:Unknown, Can contact state for info.
14. During registration, how do you verify that voters are citizens?DMV - gives list on non-citizens or license etc
15. There are three types of voting machines used in Virginia. Can you tell me which machines you use?Hart InterCivic Verity system
16. Who calibrates the voting machines, and can you please explain the process?Vendor does calibrations - every 3 years - full schedule next Jan 2022
17. Do you invite party representatives to witness the calibration?Yes
17a. Any additional information?Next Calib. Jan 2022. Logic + accuracy for each election - Oct 2021
18a. Are voting machines ever connected to the internet?No
18b. If they are not connected to the internet, how and when are they updated?Never. Elec. Poll Books. Thumb drive from orig machine. Feed for each location / load on laptop
19. As an election professional, do you think the changes made in the election process in Virginia in response to COVID have weakened election integrity, strengthened election integrity, or made no change in election integrity?No change
19a. Any additional information?Changes made based on Covid make easier for voters to access
20a. Did you receive any funding or in-kind contributions for training, staff, voter education or equipment, or any other purpose from outside the state of Virginia?No
20b. If yes, what was the funding or contribution used for?From state of VA. rec'd $ from CARES Act. Each locality could use as needed ss they chose
21. Effective Jul 1, 2021, Senate Bill 1097, eliminated requirements for voters to have a witness signature on absentee ballots for any election during a declared state of emergency. The Governor has now rescinded the state of emergency. How are you training your staff to ensure that there is a signature match for the upcoming elections?Haven't started training yet - could not be rejected for lack of signature - Voter yes, witness no. No signature verify in VA . Absentee mail in
22. There is a lot of concern in Virginia and across the country about the security and integrity of the ballot drop boxes. What are the chain of custody procedures for ballot drop boxes?Lot of drop boxes; stay with Elec. Officials + video recorder. very secure here. Emptied 1 -2 times a day
23. Was there any time during the last election cycle when your drop boxes did not have video monitoring?No
23a. Any additional information?
24. Who is responsible for reviewing the video?Sent to police station
24b. Were party observers present during the review?No
25. Would you provide training and support, or designate us to provide training and support, for an election day page program as described in 24.2-604.3?Refused
25a. Any additional information?If need was there, yes!! Students
26. Would you authorize non-partisan election observers with the same rights as party representatives; as described in 24.2-604.5 A?Unknown
26a. Any additional information?Will check wih Elections. Yes - student with parent
27. Would you authorize international non-partisan observers from recognized election monitoring organizations?Unknown
27a. Any additional information?Will check wih Dept. Elections.
28. Have your local party chairs been notified that they are entitled to send observers to your office each day it is open and receiving in-person absentee ballots?Yes
28a. Any additional information?Logic + accuract testing dates 30 days prior to Elections early Oct.
29a. Do you have a publication that you provide to your election officials regarding rights and responsibilities of observers?Yes
29b. If no, would you be willing to distribute such a publication that we would prepare based on Virginia law?Refused
30. Question – Please characterize your interaction with the Registrar asHelpful Polite




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