summary

COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

AGENDA TITLE:

Elections – Ordinance to relocate the Central Absentee Voter Precinct

SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST:

Public hearing to amend Chapter 2, Administration, Article I, Elections, to change the location of the Central Absentee Voter Precinct

STAFF CONTACT(S):

Messrs. Tucker, Elliott, Davis, Kamptner, Washburne, and Ms. Schermerhorn

LEGAL REVIEW: Yes

AGENDA DATE:

July 2, 2008

ACTION: X INFORMATION:

CONSENT AGENDA:

ACTION: INFORMATION:

ATTACHMENTS: Yes

REVIEWED BY:

The Central Absentee Voter Precinct is currently located at the County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road (“COB-McIntire”). The Registrar’s Office is now located at the County Office Building at 1600 Fifth Street (“COB-5^th”). On April 8, 2008, the Albemarle County Electoral Board unanimously voted to request that the Central Absentee Voter Precinct be moved from COB-McIntire to COB-5th.

Virginia Code § 24.2-712 authorizes the Board of Supervisors to establish central absentee voter precincts and requires that they be established by ordinance. A change in the location will require approval by the Department of Justice under the Voting Rights Act prior to its use in the next election.

The Electoral Board is requesting that the Absentee Voter Precinct be relocated to COB-5^th. (See Attachment A). The reasons cited for the relocation request include: (1) the convenience of the Central Absentee Voter Precinct being located in the same building as the Registrar’s Office; (2) eliminating the need to transport the ballot-counting machines from COB-5^th to COB-McIntire; (3) increasing the level of ballot security; (4) expediting the processing of returned ballots; (5) providing more space to accommodate the growing number of absentee voters and the increasing number of election officials required; and (6) having handicapped and general parking areas closer to the voting room.

Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached ordinance after the public hearing.