Latest news with #ElectionOfficials
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ballot recount in Bristol District special election
A ballot recount is getting underway in Easton following a special election earlier this month to fill a vacant state representative seat.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge rules Norfolk Electoral Board member can stay in her position
A Norfolk Circuit Court judge has ruled in favor of a Norfolk Electoral Board member, allowing her to keep her seat on the board. Circuit Court Judge Everett Martin allowed Norfolk Electoral Board Vice Chair Marianne McKay to retain her position on the board in an opinion released Wednesday. The order comes after several Norfolk election officials attempted to remove McKay from her position, alleging she failed to perform her job duties and betrayed the nonpartisan nature of the office. In an emailed statement, McKay said the results were vindication for her and put a stop to a removal effort that never should have begun. 'This entire episode was deeply embarrassing for the Norfolk Electoral Board and the Norfolk Office of Elections and a colossal waste of state, city and judicial resources,' McKay said in the statement. In his order, Martin said it was clear that election officials found McKay 'meddlesome and obnoxious, and they wish to be rid of her.' However, he said the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case, did not present compelling evidence that she had failed to perform her job duties or engaged in political activity while on the job. The court case revolved around two actions McKay took before and during the 2024 June primary and November general elections. Following the general election, McKay attempted to rescind her approval of the results because she was not allowed to personally review thousands of provisional ballots. McKay also worked with a third-party election integrity group to staff outside poll watchers at polling sites during the general election and communicated with them throughout the day. In his order, Martin said the first instance was not grounds for removal because there is no legal mechanism for a board member to withdraw certification of an election after previously certifying it. Secondly, he said the election day communications between McKay and the poll watchers, which did not rise to the level of political activity. The case was opened after the Virginia State Board of Elections voted 4-1 March 4 to petition the court for McKay's removal. Norfolk General Registrar Stephanie Iles and Norfolk Electoral Board Chair Atoy Carrington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345,
