Richmond’s Office of Elections preps for new registrar coming in July

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond’s Office of Elections is teeing up for a culture change under new leadership.

Richmond’s Electoral Board chair Starlet Stevens said she expects new registrar David A. Levine will smoothly take over after a five-month search.

“We put out a nationwide search, with candidates and had 39 applicants from all over the country,” Stevens said. “He's well known, in the election community, in the state of Virginia and around the country.”

Stevens said Levine has “extensive experience in elections since 2012,” adding that he previously worked with the city as its deputy registrar from 2012 to 2014 under former general registrar Kurt Showalter.

His job history also includes working in elections in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Levine will replace Keith Balmer, who resigned in December 2024 following an investigation into misconduct and improper spending, which reportedly cost taxpayers about half a million dollars.

In the meantime, interim registrar Tina Crump took over duties along with handling a primary election before Levine’s hiring.

Starlet applauded Crump's work in overseeing staff training, testing machines and making sure deadlines are met and believes Levine will succeed too.

“He was aware of a lot of what had happened here and basically said, ‘We don't want this type of thing. This is not what this office is about,’” Stevens said. “I want the office to run in compliance with the law. I have no doubt that Mr. Levine will do that.”

Levine will officially begin his role on July 1st.