Strengthening Support for Election Security, Including Physical Security of Voting Equipment and Ballots

Wednesday, July 22 – Strengthening Support for Election Security, Including Physical Security of Voting Equipment and Ballots
12-1pm Zoom

Virginia Election Position Study Part #2: This Study Started with RMA

Election systems have changed in many important ways since LWV-Virginia adopted its Election Laws position in 2011. This LWV-VA Election Law Study, begun at the encouragement of RMA members, is directed at an update of that position. Now it is time for RMA members to contribute their feedback to the state-wide group studying the position.

There are three parts to the study; each part to be covered in separate July meetings. The first of these meetings will introduce the study and consider the report’s section on Election Security, Including Physical Security of Voting Equipment and Ballots. Read report pages 9-19. Members will be asked to consider the following questions on July 22nd:

Section B1 of the Study: Would you advocate that any security measure in the future be required of all jurisdictions, no matter how expensive, if it promised to reduce risk successfully? In principle, would you be willing to see any amount of public funding allocated to the Virginia Department of Elections for that purpose?

Section B2 of the Study: Should the Commonwealth continue to develop standards in addition to federal standards, and is that a prudent way to expend financial resources and personnel time? Should the Commonwealth take more advice from other states and adopt more national standards?

Section B3 of the Study: Many of you have had experiences as election officers or have witnessed the preparation of election equipment before an election. Did the security precautions seem effective to you?

Overall questions: Does this section of the study have the right amount of depth to facilitate your review and consideration, as well as that of policymakers? What actions or advocacy would you like to see LWV-VA take in view of this study? Is there something you would like to comment on that has not been mentioned?

Parts C and D of the Study will be discussed in the meeting of July 29.

About League Positions: The League takes “Positions” on local, state, and national public policies; those Positions are the grounds for League education and advocacy. League positions are the outcome of extensive, objective research followed by a grassroots discussion to arrive at consensus on the topic. This grassroots process ensures that our advocacy is well-considered by a broad range of our members. Leagues cannot act absent a supporting Position, and no one may speak for the League without adhering to the Position.