This graph shows the number of registered voters in Chesterfield County.

As of Monday 199,098 voters are registered in Chesterfield County, an increase of 1,524 in the last two weeks and 2,430 since August 4. On November 4, Virginia voters will cast ballots for president, senator, and representatives, and with the Commonwealth being considered a battleground state, the number of voters is expected to reach record numbers.

“I’ve been doing this for 22 years now and this is the biggest so far; it’s like a category 5,” says Deborah Altice, who is an assistant to Chesterfield Registrar Lawrence Haake.

The Registrar’s office is busy processing new registrations as well as redundant registrations from voters wanting to make sure they are registered.

Electorial Board Members Rosemarie Y. (Ree) Hart says the board is working on ways to ensure a smooth election. She says that the board has been holding classes for Officers of Election (poll workers) and expects that they will have enough to cover the polls. Altice estimates that there are between 1,300 and 1,400 poll workers who have volunteered to work on Election Day.

Currently, the Registrar is taking adding names of those wishing to volunteer to a list and will contact when it is decided if they will need them.

Chesterfield had some problems during the primary election last February when some precincts ran out of Democratic ballots. The incident was review by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on September 10. During that hearing, Haake said, “We’re going to be ready for the masses,” according to news reports.

This week, Governor Timothy M. Kaine encouraged Virginians to check their voter registration status, reminding voters that the deadline to register is October 6.  The Governor pointed to a new web tool for Virginians to take advantage of. The State Board of Elections website allows voters to confirm their registration status, polling location, and other vital information ahead of the fall elections.

“By taking a few minutes to use this simple tool, Virginia voters can make sure they aren’t turned away on Election Day because they show up at the wrong precinct, have inaccurate voter information, or are not registered to vote by the October 6 deadline,” Governor Kaine says.

Virginia residents can check their voter registration status in a number of ways:

• By visiting www.sbe.virginia.gov and clicking on the “Check Voter Registration Status” link.
• By calling 864-8901 or (800) 552-9745. Staff and volunteers answer phones at the Virginia State Board of Election Voter Registration Call Center from 8 a.m. to 5 pm.
• By calling their local registrar at 748-1471.

Governor Kaine also has announced that the State Board of Elections has nearly reached its goal of identifying 10,000 people to serve as Officers of Election, statewide – fewer than 50 additional officers are still needed. An increased need for Officers of Elections stemmed from the creation of 300 precincts since 2004 and the projected increase in voter turnout for the November election. The primary purpose for these Officers of Elections is to assist voters on Election Day.

Improvements have also been made to precinct locations:

BERMUDA DISTRICT

The voting location for Precinct 103 Enon will move from Fire Station #6 at 1920 E. Hundred Rd. to Elizabeth Davis Middle School at 601 Corvus Ct.

Precinct 110 Dutch Gap will be split to create a new precinct generally north of the CSX railroad line, with the voting location being at Elizabeth Scott Elementary School at 813 Beginners Trail Loop. The new precinct number is 109 and the new precinct name is Elizabeth Scott.

(Please note the Elizatbeth Davis Middle School and Elizabeth Scott Elementary School are located on the same campus adjacent to one another off Bermuda Orchard Rd. in the Enon area.)

Precinct 107 Wells will be split creating a new precinct generally west of Happy Hill Rd., with the voting location at Carver Middle School at 3800 Cougar Tl.

The new precinct number is 112 and the new precinct name is Carver.

DALE DISTRICT

The voting location for Precinct 208 Meadowbrook will move from New Covenant Presbyterian Church at 6415 Irongate Dr. to Meadowbrook High School at 4901 Cogbill Rd.

Precinct 207 Chippenham will be split to create a new precinct generally south of Jessup Rd., with the voting location at Southside Baptist Church at 6000 Iron Bridge Rd. The new precinct number is 213 and the new precinct name is Southside.

MATOACA DISTRICT

The voting location for precinct 305 Beach will move from the Grange Building at 11401 Bundle Rd. to Second Branch Baptist Church at 12217 Second Branch Rd.

The voting location for Precinct 303 Matoaca will move from Matoaca Elementary School at 6627 River Rd. to Matoaca Middle School East (the old Matoaca High School) at 6001 Hickory Rd.

Precinct 302 Deer Run will be split to create a new precinct generally west of Winterpock Rd. and South of Route 360, with the voting location being at Cosby High School at 14300 Fox Club Pkwy. The new precinct number is 307 and the new precinct name is Cosby.

mfausz@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

© Copyright by Village Publishing

Top of Page                                              Comment on This Article

The Village News office is located at 4607 West Hundred Road Chester
Mailing address is PO Box 2397 Chester, VA 23831
Phone: 751-0421  Fax: 751-9155
Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday call ahead for other hours.
Statement of Journalistic Ethics