FAQ’s from the Botetourt County Director of Elections

Security/Election Integrity

• Botetourt County uses optical scanners manufactured by Elections Systems & Software (ES&S)

• Each state has their own specifications for equipment
• Localities must use equipment that has been certified by the State Board of Elections
• Equipment from same manufacturer does not necessarily have same components as equipment in other states

• Scanners are never connected to the internet (do not have modems or capability to connect)
• No totals are transmitted electronically (not capable without modem)
• Every piece of equipment used in each election is tested prior to every election

• Logic & Accuracy Testing is required by Code of Virginia
• Use test desk of ballots with a pre-determined outcome

• ensures each line of each ballot style is read and tabulated correctly
• each scanner is programmed exclusively for the assigned precinct it will be used in
• checks function of equipment (no paper jams, display, etc.)

• Totals are cleared and a “zero totals tape” is run showing all votes for every office have been cleared 

• This same tape is run when the scanner is opened at the precincts
• Equipment is locked and sealed with a numbered seal
• Seal number is recorded on Statement of Results for each precinct 
• Seal number is verified by Chief prior to equipment being opened on Election Day

• No totals are pulled until after polls close at 7:00 pm on election night (even for early voting)

• Totals are called into registrar’s office by chief from each precinct and posted on door of precinct

• Totals reported by precincts are entered into the state database by registrar’s office staff on election night

• Usually takes about an hour or so for all precincts to report totals after polls close
• Total write-in totals must be at least 10% or more of the total votes cast for that office and are not calculated or reported until after canvass is completed the day after the election

• Total number of ballots printed for Botetourt County is certified by the printer to the Virginia Department of Elections

• Every ballot must be accounted for to the state after the election indicating their use for training, testing, absentee, in-person early voting or election day voting 

• Election Officers are trained prior to every election on the most up to date laws and procedures (required by Code)

Early Voting/Absentee

• Available for all registered Botetourt County voters 
• Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Open Saturday, October 23  8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Open Saturday, October 30  8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• Deadline for in-person early voting is 5:00 pm on Saturday, October 30
• Applications for a mailed absentee ballot must be received in registrar’s office no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, October 22

• Due to mail delays, voters are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible and to return their marked ballots as soon as possible as well.

• Marked absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, November 2nd (election day) and received by registrar’s office by noon on Friday, November 5 to eligible to be counted
• Witness signatures are required for absentee ballots (state is no longer under state of emergency due to a communicable disease)

Returning Absentee Ballots

• Marked absentee ballots can be returned via mail or commercial carrier (UPS, FedEx)
• Marked absentee ballots can be returned to the registrar’s office

• By law, only voter can return their own ballot if handed to registrar’s staff
• Ballots can be put into the drop box opening in the vestibule of the registrar’s office

• vestibule area is recorded by security camera

• Each precinct will have a locked ballot box for the return of marked absentee ballots on Election Day
• Voters who have received an absentee ballot but wish to vote in-person must surrender the mailed absentee ballot when they come to vote

• If ballot is not surrendered, voter must vote a provisional ballot

Election Day Voting

• Voters must present a valid form of identification as stipulated by the Commonwealth of Virginia

• Photo id is no longer required
• Full listing of acceptable forms of identification can be found on the Dept of Elections website (vote.virginia.gov)
  • Virginia driver’s license, voter card, passport, military ID are a few examples of acceptable forms of identification

• Voters not possessing a valid form of identification specified by the state are allowed to sign a Statement of Identification affirming their identity by penalty of a felony
• Curbside voting will be available at all precincts for voters who are 65 years old or older or who have a temporary or permanent disability

• Designated areas will be marked off with cones
• Voter can call the posted phone number to alert election officers of their arrival
• Election officers will bring ballot with a privacy folder to vehicle

• Marked ballots can be put into the scanner face up or face down (dual sided scanner)

• Ballots with stray marks or too many candidates marked in one office will be rejected by the scanner for voter’s action
• Voters can surrender spoiled ballot for a replacement or cast the improperly marked ballot and the office in question will not be counted

• Scanner has two counts listed on the screen

• Count on top is the total number of ballots run through that scanner for this election (public count)
• Count under the public count is the total number of ballots run through the scanner since it has been in use (protected count)

• These counts are like the odometer in your car  (trip/permanent)

• public count = trip odometer (it can be cleared out)
• protected count = odometer (it continues to increase with use)

• When ballot is placed in scanner, the screen will change momentarily with a “thank you for voting” screen which indicates the ballot was counted

• Voter can miss the screen if they look away as it only displays for a couple of seconds
• Public count and protected count on screen will increase by one

• Polls are open 6:00 am – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 2nd

Additional Information

• Sample ballots are on the Botetourt County website (https://botetourtva.gov/your-government/election-information/)

• Voters will need to know their precinct to find correct ballot style
• Six different ballot styles for County  (all ballots have governor, lt governor, attorney general and house of delegates)

• Town of Buchanan has 2 seats for Town Council on ballot as well as school board and board of supervisors
• Buchanan District has school board and board of supervisor offices on ballot
• Town of Troutville has 3 seats for Town Council on ballot
• Amsterdam District (Daleville & Greenfield precincts) has school board and board of supervisor offices on ballot
• Voters in Troutville and Cloverdale precincts will need to know if they are in the 17th or 19th House of Delegates districts to determine their ballot

• This can be found on voter card or Department of Elections website (vote.virginia.gov)

• Voters in Blue Ridge District are reminded of the polling location changes that took place in 2020

• Voters who previously voted at the old Colonial Elementary School on Webster Road (Blue Ridge precinct) now vote at Colonial Baptist Church
• Voters who previously voted at Rainbow Forest Baptist Church (Rainbow Forest precinct) now vote at the new Colonial Elementary School

–Traci Spradlin Clark, Voter Registrar