Constitution of Virginia

ARTICLE II  Franchise and Officers

Section 8. Electoral boards; registrars and officers of election.

There shall be in each county and city an electoral board composed of three members, selected as provided by law. In the appointment of the electoral boards, representation, as far as practicable, shall be given to each of the two political parties which, at the general election next preceding their appointment, cast the highest and the next highest number of votes. The present members of such boards shall continue in office until the expiration of their respective terms; thereafter their successors shall be appointed for the term of three years. Any vacancy occurring in any board shall be filled by the same authority for the unexpired term.

Each electoral board shall appoint the officers of election and general registrar for its county or city. In appointing such officers of election, representation, as far as practicable, shall be given to each of the two political parties which, at the general election next preceding their appointment, cast the highest and next highest number of votes.

No person, nor the deputy of any person, who is employed by or holds any office or post of profit or emolument, or who holds any elective office of profit or trust, under the governments of the United States, the Commonwealth, or any county, city, or town, shall be appointed a member of the electoral board or general registrar. No person, nor the deputy or the employee of any person, who holds any elective office of profit or trust under the government of the United States, the Commonwealth, or any county, city, or town of the Commonwealth shall be appointed an assistant registrar or officer of election.

Overview

The mission of the General Registrar’s Office is to provide opportunities, in an equitable and courteous manner, for all qualified citizens of the City of Richmond to register to vote; to promote the integrity of the electoral process by maintaining accurate and current voter registration records used in elections; to coordinate elections so that they are conducted in a manner that secures the qualified citizen’s right to vote and insures that the results accurately reflect the voters’ will; and, to be an information resource for citizens regarding voter registration, elections, and elected officials.

Agency Overview – The Constitution of Virginia provides that every locality in the state must have an Electoral Board that is responsible for the conduct of all elections to public office within its jurisdiction. This board is composed of three qualified voters of the locality who are appointed by the Circuit Court. One of the Electoral Board’s greatest responsibilities — and its authority — lies within its appointive power. All officers of election that work in the voting precincts, as well as the General Registrar, are appointed by the Board. The Board’s statutory duties also include: training election officers, determining how many machines to deploy for voting and how to staff the voting precincts, managing the campaign finance report review process, certifying candidates for the ballot, overseeing the voting machine programming and certification process, and conducting absentee voting. The Electoral Board is assisted in most of these functions by the General Registrar. While all matters election fall within the purview of the Electoral Board, voter registration is the sole province of the General Registrar. The Registrar: maintains the official list of registered voters and determines if a particular voter is qualified to vote in their jurisdiction, manages the Office of the General Registrar; is the administrative officer for the Electoral Board; follows local, state and federal legislation that may impact voter registration or elections; provides voter registration and election education to the public; notifies voters of any changes in polling places or election districts; and, checks candidates’ petitions to determine the number of qualifying signatures on them.

2011 Proposed Biennial Fiscal Plan