Virginia Department of Elections holds briefings on voter registration, early voting
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Elections held briefings on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Richmond to discuss voter registration, early voting and a voting issue in Gilpin Court. Susan Beals, Commissioner of Elections for the Commonwealth of Virginia, reported a record 6,374,437 registered voters as of Nov. 1. As of Tuesday, 2,305,439 Virginians have already cast their ballots, 1,861,938 Virginians voted in person and 443,501 Virginians cast their ballot by mail. There are 126,266 mail-in ballots still outstanding in Virginia, which Beals said must be postmarked by Nov. 5 and received by noon on Nov. 8 in order to be counted. 16,557 same-day registrations have been submitted and Beals said the Department of Elections is expecting even more today. Beals said security at polling locations were top of mind on Election Day. "We've had several meetings where we've run through various scenarios to make plans," said Beals. "I can't speak any further to specifics, but there's been a lot of planning and forethought that has gone on today, and we're very confident that we're going to have a safe and secure election in Virginia today." Beals encouraged voters to view Election Night results and important updates on the Department of Elections' website. "Tomorrow morning, we're going to start with the canvass, which is when our electoral boards and every locality are going to meet to go back through the results of the election, results, tapes and all of the materials from the election to double check those results," said Beals. Beals said this year's election was very smooth thanks to the experience of election officials, there were no reported credible threats to election sites or delays in voting counts -- but that didn't mean all polling locations were free of issues. A poll official in Richmond's Northside was forcibly removed and fired after voters received federal ballots. Beals said she does not know what led to this but confirmed the official has been replaced. In Arlington County, a fire alarm was pulled at a precinct and voters were moved outside to cast their ballot while the issue was resolved. In Hampton, a large number of college students showed up to the polls and registered on the same day, which caused college cities like Hampton to experience long lines. “It should not affect the consolidated results that are being reported this evening," said Beals in reference to the issues. "Anyone who voted same day registration, those results will be reflected in the totals that are reported to the state on Nov. 15."
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Elections held briefings on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Richmond to discuss voter registration, early voting and a voting issue in Gilpin Court.
Susan Beals, Commissioner of Elections for the Commonwealth of Virginia, reported a record 6,374,437 registered voters as of Nov. 1. As of Tuesday, 2,305,439 Virginians have already cast their ballots, 1,861,938 Virginians voted in person and 443,501 Virginians cast their ballot by mail.
There are 126,266 mail-in ballots still outstanding in Virginia, which Beals said must be postmarked by Nov. 5 and received by noon on Nov. 8 in order to be counted.
16,557 same-day registrations have been submitted and Beals said the Department of Elections is expecting even more today.
Beals said security at polling locations were top of mind on Election Day.
"We've had several meetings where we've run through various scenarios to make plans," said Beals. "I can't speak any further to specifics, but there's been a lot of planning and forethought that has gone on today, and we're very confident that we're going to have a safe and secure election in Virginia today."
Beals encouraged voters to view Election Night results and important updates on the Department of Elections' website.
"Tomorrow morning, we're going to start with the canvass, which is when our electoral boards and every locality are going to meet to go back through the results of the election, results, tapes and all of the materials from the election to double check those results," said Beals.
Beals said this year's election was very smooth thanks to the experience of election officials, there were no reported credible threats to election sites or delays in voting counts -- but that didn't mean all polling locations were free of issues.
A poll official in Richmond's Northside was forcibly removed and fired after voters received federal ballots. Beals said she does not know what led to this but confirmed the official has been replaced.
In Arlington County, a fire alarm was pulled at a precinct and voters were moved outside to cast their ballot while the issue was resolved.
In Hampton, a large number of college students showed up to the polls and registered on the same day, which caused college cities like Hampton to experience long lines.
“It should not affect the consolidated results that are being reported this evening," said Beals in reference to the issues. "Anyone who voted same day registration, those results will be reflected in the totals that are reported to the state on Nov. 15."
