By Matt de Simone
Election Day 2021 is this Tuesday. Botetourt County Director of Elections and General Registrar Traci Clark recently provided important information about voting next week in the county.
Security/Election Integrity
Botetourt County uses optical scanners manufactured by Elections Systems & Software (ES&S). Each state has their own specifications for equipment. Localities must use equipment that has been certified by the State Board of Elections. Equipment from the same manufacturer does not necessarily have same components as equipment in other states.
Scanners are never connected to the internet (do not have modems or capability to connect). No totals are transmitted electronically (not capable without modem). Every piece of equipment used in each election is tested prior to every election. Logic & Accuracy Testing is required by Code of Virginia.
Using a test desk of ballots with a pre-determined outcome:
- ensures each line of each ballot style is read and tabulated correctly
- each scanner is programmed exclusively for the assigned precinct it will be used in
- checks function of equipment (no paper jams, display, etc.)
Totals are cleared and a “zero totals tape” runs showing all votes for every office are cleared. This same tape is run when the scanner is opened at the precincts. Equipment is locked and sealed with a numbered seal. Seal number is recorded on Statement of Results for each precinct and verified by chief prior to equipment being opened on Election Day.
No totals are pulled until after polls close at 7 p.m. on election night (even for early voting). Totals are called into the registrar’s office by chief from each precinct and posted on the door of the precinct. The registrar’s office staff on election night report totals by precincts and enter them into the state database. The process usually takes about an hour or so for all precincts to report totals after polls close.
Total write-in totals must be at least 10 percent or more of the total votes cast for that office and are not calculated or reported until after canvass is completed the day after the election.
Total number of ballots printed for Botetourt County is certified by the printer to the Virginia Department of Elections.
Every ballot must be accounted for to the state after the election indicating their use for training, testing, absentee, in-person early voting or Election Day voting .
Election officers are trained prior to every election on the most up-to-date laws and procedures (required by code).
Early Voting/Absentee
Available for all registered Botetourt County voters
Open Saturday, October 30 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Deadline for in-person early voting is 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 30
Applications for a mailed absentee ballot must be received in registrar’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, October 22
Due to mail delays, voters are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible and to return their marked ballots as soon as possible as well.
Marked absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 2 (Election Day) and received by registrar’s office by noon on Friday, November 5 to eligible to be counted
Witness signatures are required for absentee ballots (state is no longer under state of emergency due to a communicable disease)
Returning Absentee Ballots
Voters must return marked absentee ballots via mail or commercial carrier (UPS, FedEx). Marked absentee ballots can be returned to the registrar’s office. By law, only voter can return their own ballot if handed to registrar’s staff. Ballots can be put into the drop box opening in the vestibule of the registrar’s office. A security camera records the activity in the vestibule area.
Each precinct will have a locked ballot box for the return of marked absentee ballots on Election Day. Voters who have received an absentee ballot but wish to vote in-person must surrender the mailed absentee ballot when they come to vote. If ballot is not surrendered, voter must vote on a provisional ballot.
Election Day Voting
Voters must present a valid form of identification as stipulated by the Commonwealth of Virginia. A photo ID is no longer required. The full listing of acceptable forms of identification can be found on the Dept. of Elections website (vote.virginia.gov). A Virginia driver’s license, voter card, passport, military ID are a few examples of acceptable forms of identification.
Voters not possessing a valid form of identification specified by the state are allowed to sign a Statement of Identification affirming their identity by penalty of a felony. Curbside voting will be available at all precincts for voters who are 65 years old or older or who have a temporary or permanent disability. Designated areas will be marked off with cones. A voter may call the posted phone number to alert election officers of their arrival. Election officers will bring ballot with a privacy folder to vehicle.
Marked ballots can be put into the scanner face up or face down (dual sided scanner). Ballots with stray marks or too many candidates marked in one office will be rejected by the scanner for voter’s action. Voters can surrender spoiled ballot for a replacement or cast the improperly marked ballot and the office in question will not be counted.
Scanner has two counts listed on the screen:
Count on top is the total number of ballots run through that scanner for this election (public count).
Count under the public count is the total number of ballots run through the scanner since it has been in use (protected count).
These counts are like the odometer in your car (trip/permanent):
public count = trip odometer (it can be cleared out)
protected count = odometer (it continues to increase with use)
When ballot is placed in scanner, the screen will change momentarily with a “thank you for voting” screen, which indicates the ballot was counted. Voters can miss the screen if they look away as it only displays for a couple of seconds. Public count and protected count on screen will increase by one.
Polls are open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2.
Additional Information
Sample ballots are on the Botetourt County website (https://botetourtva.gov/your-government/election-information/). Voters will need to know their precinct to find correct ballot style.
Six different ballot styles for county (all ballots have Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and House of Delegates).
Town of Buchanan has two seats for Town Council on ballot as well as School Board and Board of Supervisors.
Buchanan District has School Board and Board of Supervisors offices on ballot.
Town of Troutville has three seats for Town Council on ballot.
Amsterdam District (Daleville and Greenfield Precincts) has School Board and Board of Supervisors offices on ballot.
Voters in Troutville and Cloverdale Precincts will need to know if they are in the 17th or 19th House of Delegates Districts to determine their ballot.
Voters in Blue Ridge District are reminded of the polling location changes that took place in 2020.
Voters who previously voted at the old Colonial Elementary School on Webster Road (Blue Ridge Precinct) now vote at Colonial Baptist Church.
Voters who previously voted at Rainbow Forest Baptist Church (Rainbow Forest Precinct) now vote at the new Colonial Elementary School.
This information can be found on voter card or Department of Elections website (vote.virginia.gov).
