Poll official fired, forcibly removed after 11 voters at Richmond polling place receive wrong ballots
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A poll official has been fired and was forcibly removed after 11 voters experienced issues with their ballots in the morning on Election Day at the Calhoun Community Center in Richmond. According to Virginia Department of Elections poll workers at the center, 11 voters were only given federal ballots earlier in the morning on Election Day -- Tuesday, Nov. 5 -- allowing them to vote only in the presidential election. Without the correct ballot, these voters could not vote in local elections, including voting for Richmond's mayor, City Council seats and School Board seats. Officials said these voters could not revote, and the State Board of Elections came to fix the issue at around 6:30 a.m. It has been confirmed by general registrar Keith Balmer that the poll official at the center -- Precinct Chief Barbara Burgo -- was removed from the polling location. Balmer said the State Electoral Board held an emergency meeting to remove Burgo as an election officer, after which he confirmed that she was fired and forcibly removed from the building. Folks who are heading out to vote should make sure to bring their government-issued ID, like a driver's license, passport or current bill with their name and address. To follow updates at polling places throughout Virginia on Election Day, visit the 8News live blog.
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A poll official has been fired and was forcibly removed after 11 voters experienced issues with their ballots in the morning on Election Day at the Calhoun Community Center in Richmond.
According to Virginia Department of Elections poll workers at the center, 11 voters were only given federal ballots earlier in the morning on Election Day -- Tuesday, Nov. 5 -- allowing them to vote only in the presidential election.
Without the correct ballot, these voters could not vote in local elections, including voting for Richmond's mayor, City Council seats and School Board seats.
Officials said these voters could not revote, and the State Board of Elections came to fix the issue at around 6:30 a.m.
It has been confirmed by general registrar Keith Balmer that the poll official at the center -- Precinct Chief Barbara Burgo -- was removed from the polling location.
Balmer said the State Electoral Board held an emergency meeting to remove Burgo as an election officer, after which he confirmed that she was fired and forcibly removed from the building.
Folks who are heading out to vote should make sure to bring their government-issued ID, like a driver's license, passport or current bill with their name and address.
To follow updates at polling places throughout Virginia on Election Day, visit the 8News live blog.
