Board sets L&A testing and ballot‑ordering plan, weighs half‑day officer pilot and Sunday early voting

The Albemarle County Electoral Board spent substantial time on operational preparations for the upcoming primary and the November general election, including testing, training and ballot ordering.

Staff reviewed L&A (logic‑and‑accuracy) testing dates and poll‑pad/configuration timelines and said county L&A testing is slated for June–July windows; staff and members discussed availability conflicts and asked the registrar to confirm dates that allow adequate time for configuration and printing before test days.

On training, members proposed limiting in‑person hands‑on training to chief and assistant‑chief staff with targeted newbie training for other roles; the board agreed there is no need to convene all election officers for full‑day training. Staff recommended hands‑on sessions for poll‑pads and pull‑path configuration and to involve CAP for precinct configuration in the week preceding L&A testing.

The board discussed Sunday early voting required by the recent law: two Sundays immediately preceding the election with a minimum five‑hour window between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Members asked staff to choose dates and times that balance availability and turnout demands.

Ballot ordering: given historical turnout and the possibility of contested primaries in several races, the board tentatively approved a high ordering target to avoid shortages — staff proposed ordering approximately 80% of registered voters split 40% Republican and 40% Democratic (including absentee demand) but said final quantities will be refined using historical turnout data and precinct‑level adjustments.

Half‑day officer shifts: Chair Lewis Jones reintroduced a proposal to permit paired half‑day shifts (morning and afternoon) to expand the recruitment pool. Members raised concerns about the legal effect of signatures on the statement of results when a person was not present all day; several members suggested piloting the approach in one or two precincts rather than making a county‑wide change.

Why it matters: correct L&A testing, adequate training and prudent ballot ordering influence whether voting on election day proceeds smoothly and whether the county avoids ballot shortages or configuration errors.

Staff will follow up with confirmed L&A dates, a final ballot order recommendation and a proposal for a limited half‑day pilot if the board wants to proceed.