Virginia for Election Transparency

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Locality: Culpeper County

File Name: Culpeper Survey 20210812




ObserversToni Sheads, Eileen Ehreth
Date of interview08/12/2021
Time and date of initial call and email:08/11/2021
Time and date of response:08/11/2021
Did the registrar refuse to meet you:No
If yes, please provide the reason given for not meeting:Toni spoke with the registrar directly - he was polite, accomodating and transparent
Survey Answers
1. What is your biggest concern about the upcoming election?Always the uncertainty on how voters are going to vote (what process they use) How do we adapt to facilitate the processes, logistics involved with polling
2. Any other major concerns?Mostly how COVID changes the perception of the voters and how they want to vote, mail-in, early or on day of election.
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?He is excited about training elecction officials in person
4. If no, what is missing?N/A
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?Yes
6a. Provide DetailsPolling places have both
7. Is the county Board of Elections engaged in your work year-round, or mostly near elections?Mostly
7a. Any additional information?Board does what they need to do all year but more right before elections. We are a registration office too and Board doesn't play a role in that part.
8. When was the last audit of the voter file in your county?
8a. No. of days since last audit:
8b. Any additional information?He said it is constant and ongoing all year. DMV plays a big part in getting them info.
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?Get death certificates every month. As they get them they remove from file. Also use the NVRA from post office change of addresses.
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?3 years ago but did it two years in a row.
Record date and other list(s), if relevant3 years ago but did it two years in a row.
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):State runs process every summer so her is sure they did it this summer. System flags NCOA
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?We are doing the work every day to make sure it is accurate.
13. How many households in your locality have more than 7 individuals registered at the same address? Number:Circle back on this
14. During registration, how do you verify that voters are citizens?He was stumped then he finally said legally we don't do that.
15. There are three types of voting machines used in Virginia. Can you tell me which machines you use?We use ES+S and DS200 scanner
16. Who calibrates the voting machines, and can you please explain the process?They do logic and accuracy testing - Election Board is responsible for this.
17. Do you invite party representatives to witness the calibration?Yes
17a. Any additional information?One per party
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?Annual maintenance contract. Print Elect is the company that does the updates. Done after November before next summer. Can not remote into the machines
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?He feels COVID made no changes in the way things are done for their jobs.
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?Yes
20b. If yes, what was the funding or contribution used for?Care Act Funding. Grant Funding. Will get back to us on where $ come from. USes for staff, purchase new equipment and Hazard pay.
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?Staff of 2.5 always training - they know they need to match signatures. They are curing ballots all the time. They contact voters if ballot is missing anything
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?Only have one drop box and it is in the registrars office behind the counter. Locked behind locked counter
23. Was there any time during the last election cycle when your drop boxes did not have video monitoring?No
23a. Any additional information?Doesn't need video since it is behind counter in office
24. Who is responsible for reviewing the video?N/A
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?Yes
25a. Any additional information?Have used students in the past and might use in the future but he said it is up to the Electoral Board
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?He didn't seem like he wanted to use them and also #27 but th said it was up to Electoral Board
27. Would you authorize international non-partisan observers from recognized election monitoring organizations?Unknown
27a. Any additional information?Said to circle back to this. Toni will email and remind him we need an answer
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?Unknown
28a. Any additional information?The Democrats sent people but he said this was a good question.
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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