In a recent meeting of the Virginia State Board of Elections, significant concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process were addressed, particularly focusing on absentee ballot procedures and voter registration accuracy.

Following the June primary, issues were raised about the Lynchburg office of the general registrar's handling of absentee ballots. In response, members of the Lynchburg electoral board provided an update on improvements made to their processes, emphasizing enhanced training and vigilance regarding drop box procedures. David Levy, chairman of the Lynchburg electoral board, assured attendees that measures have been implemented to ensure compliance with Virginia's election laws.

The meeting also featured public comments highlighting broader concerns about election integrity. Jerry Cohen, an election officer from Chesterfield County, criticized an advisory issued on October 24, which restricted election officers' access to critical voter information necessary for processing mail-in ballots. Cohen argued that this limitation undermines the statutory duties of election officers and could lead to inaccuracies in ballot processing.

Roxanna Gray raised alarms about the accuracy of Virginia's voter registration lists, citing the need for a comprehensive review to remove deceased voters and those who have moved out of state. She pointed out that despite previous audits, many ineligible voters remain on the rolls, urging immediate action before the upcoming November elections.

Joanne Chase expressed confusion over the guidelines for voter identification, particularly regarding driver's license privilege cards issued to non-citizens, calling for clarity to ensure only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote.

The meeting also touched on Executive Order 35, which aims to clarify responsibilities for maintaining accurate voter lists. Kenneth Van Verde criticized the order, claiming it contains misleading statements about election systems and their security, while Thomas Kasperk raised concerns about the adequacy of electronic voting systems and the lack of transparency in how votes are counted.

The discussions underscored a growing demand for transparency and accountability in Virginia's electoral processes, with various stakeholders calling for reforms to ensure the integrity of upcoming elections. The board acknowledged the importance of these issues and committed to reviewing the concerns raised during the meeting.