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Jan. 23, 2023 Editor, The News Gazette: I am writing in response to a letter to the editor in the Jan. 18 edition from Cynthia Atkins regarding a polling precinct being located in a religious facility. On behalf of the Rockbridge Electoral Board, I would like to address several concerns Ms. Atkins expressed in her letter.
Virginia Code currently allows for polling locations to be held in buildings of “… civic, educational, religious, charitable, historical, patriotic, cultural or similar nature …” (24.2-310.1). In addition, a polling place must be located within the precinct or within one mile of the precinct.
Unfortunately, in our county there are not that many facilities available throughout the county that have the size and other required specifications to serve as a polling place. Currently there are 18 precincts in Rockbridge County to ensure that all citizens have an opportunity to vote in their area.
The Vo-Tech precinct, referenced by Ms. Atkins, had been located within Rockbridge County High School until 2016 when there were concerns about student safety with regards to voters entering the school through the gym doors and not having to go through normal school safety procedures. At that time, it was determined by RCHS, the Electoral Board, and the Board of Supervisors that it was best to move the precinct. The only other viable location within the precinct was the current location.
If there is concern on behalf of a voter about having to vote in any facility, there are other options available to vote. Any voter who wishes to vote early can do so in person in the general registrar’s office (located in the Rockbridge County office building) in the Central Area Precinct (CAP) during the early voting period prior to any election. Early voting currently runs 45 days before any election.
Additionally, a voter may request an absentee ballot by visiting the general registrar’s office or by going on the Virginia Department of Elections’ website, www.elections. virginia.gov. The ballot will be sent to them before Election Day and can be returned in a prepaid postage envelope through the mail to the general registrar’s office.
As a Board, we must ensure that all citizens of Rockbridge County have access to voting and are free from any burdens or restrictions that might hamper that constitutional right. We appreciate all concerns that our citizens have, and hope that we address them in a manner that is both satisfactory to the voter, but still within the guidelines of the commonwealth of Virginia.
WHITNEY HUFFMAN Chair, Rockbridge County Electoral Board
