The Harrisonburg Electoral Board convened on September 8, 2025, to discuss several key topics related to upcoming elections and voter engagement initiatives. The meeting began with a discussion on the amendment process concerning voting rights and the eligibility of individuals with restored voting rights to serve as election officers. Board members expressed agreement on the importance of creating a paper trail for approval processes, with plans to draft an email to party chairs to keep them informed.

Next, the board addressed updates on tabulator technology. Tyler Links from PearlEx has been in communication regarding potential upgrades to the tabulators. The board considered scheduling a meeting for Links to present options, initially proposed for October 20, but decided to explore alternative dates to avoid conflicts with other scheduled events.

Voter registration trends were also a focal point of the meeting. The board noted an increase in paper applications, with approximately 110 received recently, attributed to heightened interest in the House of Delegates race. This uptick is expected to reduce the number of same-day registrations, although preparations are being made for a significant turnout.

The board discussed the revival of the Election Day Page Program, aimed at involving high school students as volunteers on election day. Discussions with Kirk Moyers from Harrisonburg City Public Schools indicated renewed interest in the program, which allows students under 18 to assist in various capacities at polling places. The board hopes to recruit more students this year, with training and guidelines provided to ensure compliance with election regulations.

Additionally, the board reviewed recent training sessions conducted for the Citizens Academy cohort, which successfully generated interest in becoming officers of election. The meeting concluded with a report on participation in the Secure Virginia 2025 exercise, focusing on election preparedness and cybersecurity, which highlighted the board's commitment to enhancing security measures for upcoming elections.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's proactive approach to improving election processes and engaging the community in the electoral system, with plans for further discussions and actions in the coming months.