Subcommittee hears competing views on streamlining removal of registrars and electoral board members

Delegate Simon presented House Bill 41, which would change the process for removing registrars and electoral board members by creating an expedited, bipartisanship-based path at the state-board level and an option for unanimous removal at the local level. The patron said the bill was brought previously, passed the legislature and was vetoed by the prior governor; the current version preserves bipartisan safeguards and would not permit removal "willy-nilly," but would allow quicker action in cases of dereliction.

Luke Priti, speaking for the Virginia Electoral Boards Association, said the bill preserves existing pathways while adding an additional path to seek removal. In contrast, Dr. Claire Wheeler, a former electoral board and State Board of Elections member, urged caution and argued that removal decisions should be decided by courts where testimony is given under oath. "The person who appoints an electoral board member should be the judge who removes them," Dr. Wheeler said, arguing a court process provides sworn testimony and the potential for felony penalties for dishonest testimony.

The patron and counsel explained the local electoral board’s decision could be appealed to the State Board of Elections, and once the state board acts that action would be final and not further reviewable; the transcript records the motion to report the bill and the subcommittee adjourned thereafter.

The transcript shows questions about conflicting language on appeal deadlines and finality; the patron clarified that appeals to the state board are permitted from local electoral board actions, and it is the state board’s decision that becomes final.