I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

Oppose Democrats and Socialists forcing gerrymandering in Virginia. We know that the left is trying to get power. We know the illegal aliens are one source for getting democratic votes. What happened to following the Rule of Law in America and following it without causing chaos, lockdowns, destruction, propaganda, riots, censoring, spying, fraudulent schemes, mail in ballots, and other forms of corruption?

My husband and I are extremely concerned about proposed abortion bills and legislation. We have lived in this state for many years and never dreamed of these bills moving forward and are aghast at the thought of it. We are vehemently opposed to any such passage of abortion and whole heartedly in favor of preserving and protecting all life espeically of the most vulnerable unborn life that all science now admits. Please say "no" to such bills.

Greetings Members of the Privileges and Elections House Committee. My name is Charlome Pierce and I am a frequent volunteer at precincts in my county for party affiliated and independent candidates. I support House Bill 234 because I believe that those observing the election process should be able to identify who official members of the City's/County's Electoral Board are on election day when they are visiting a precinct. I would also like to state that I am a former member of the Surry County Electoral board, having served as the secretary and a general member. I have worn official credentials provided by our registrar on election day as I visited precincts to check on the election process and to provide support if needed. I have two incidents that I would like to describe. 1. The first incident occurred when the precinct captain for our party and I were setting up a tent the morning of an election day. A member of the Electoral Board approached us when it was still dark. He was rude in his request for us to move the tent from the site. He stated to us that, "We have received complaints about our tent taking up parking spaces." When I asked who "we" was, he stated that as a former member of the Electoral Board, I should know who he was since he was his party's chair when I was on the board. I stated to him that it was dark and that I did not recognize who he was. I also asked if he had credentials from the registrar's office since I was aware that she normally provides something for the board members to wear. He stated that she did not give him anything and handed me his phone with the registrar on the other end. She stated to me that he did not take the credentials and that the other two members had theirs, which was confirmed when they visited the precinct. We certainly moved the tent and had a successful day at the precinct. 2. During the last election, I was inside observing the election process. The same board member came in and began communicating with persons in the precinct who were working. I cannot state if he communicated with any voters. The member from his party asked me who he was. Since we were inside with lighting, I did recognize him. I stated to her that he was one of the members of the Electoral Board and that he represents her party on the board. She stated to me that she did not know who he was and that he should have something that states who he is and that he has an official duty as a member of the Electoral Board. I stated to her that I concur and that this was something that members from different political parties could certainly agree on. As an electoral board member, I have had to address violations of election law with persons working for a particular candidate. I always showed my credentials provided by the registrar so that they would know that I was operating in an official capacity. I also always had the laws with me so that I could share them with the persons if questioned. This is a low-cost legislative yet high impact action that would bring consistency across the Commonwealth. If the credentials are visible, persons would know that they can speak with Electoral Board members when they visit a precinct about concerns regarding the election process, which might be able to be resolved immediately, Thank you for your consideration of this bill and I hope that you will vote in favor of it. Sincerely, Charlome Pierce, Former Electoral Board Member

I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

Oppose Democrats and Socialists forcing gerrymandering in Virginia. We know that the left is trying to get power. We know the illegal aliens are one source for getting democratic votes. What happened to following the Rule of Law in America and following it without causing chaos, lockdowns, destruction, propaganda, riots, censoring, spying, fraudulent schemes, mail in ballots, and other forms of corruption?

I support this bill. It is important for this to be placed into law. I would recommend adding "or anyone designated by the Electoral Board." as some larger localities also use designated officers to ensure every precinct is properly visited.

I am in favor of this bill for several reasons. As a former member of the Surry County Electoral Board, we were provided badges that served as credentials when we went to check on precincts on election day. If we had to address a situation, the persons not only heard what we stated about our position, they could see it as well. On two occasions, I have observed or was engaged in a situation where if the board member had credentials, it would have added a level of professionalism to the situation. 1. I was asked by an electoral board member to move my tent as we were setting up outside of the precinct and outside of the designated prohibited area. It was still dark and as the rude person came to us, he assumed that we knew who he was. He stated that "we" had received complaints about not enough parking and requested that we move to the grass. When I asked who "we" referred to, he suggested that I knew who he was. It was dark and I did not. He then stated that he was the chair of the board. I asked where his badge was and he stated that she did not give him one. When I asked who she was he stated the registrar. I knew this registrar's customs and procedures and when he handed me the phone to speak to her she stated that he did not take his badge with him. 2. In a subsequent election, he entered a precinct and began having conversations with the officials. There were two observers, one from each party. The observer from his party asked me who he was. I stated that he was her representative on the board. She stated to me that he needed credentials so that we would know that he had authority to speak to election officials, etc. I believe that officials of the election, regardless of their role need credentials so that as they are operating in their role, people will know that they have authority to do so. Election day and the activities of that day are vital to our representative government system. There are on site decisions at the precinct such as addressing violations of election rules like handing out illegal sample ballots, politicking within the prohibited area, and election officials providing party or candidate information to votes inside the precinct that need to be addressed. Knowing the officials name and the organization they represent is vital to ensuring that the process is fair to all involved. This is a low budget cost bill with huge positive impact. Hopefully the explicit examples provide evidence of the need.

My husband and I are extremely concerned about proposed abortion bills and legislation. We have lived in this state for many years and never dreamed of these bills moving forward and are aghast at the thought of it. We are vehemently opposed to any such passage of abortion and whole heartedly in favor of preserving and protecting all life espeically of the most vulnerable unborn life that all science now admits. Please say "no" to such bills.

I urge you to oppose Bill HB235 that allows for a pilot for establishing "Super precincts". Local precincts work very effectively - please don't try to fix something that isn't broken. Having local precincts also minimize the chances of a major election failure on election day that would cause a large number of votes to be in jeopardy, as could conceivably happen with a single point of failure at a super precinct. Local precincts are generally in locations that are close to a voter's home. In an era where we are attempting to make voting as easy as possible, changing to a super district is likely to require a voter to travel further to vote. Furthermore, local precincts are a key component of election integrity. With local precincts, election officials are more likely to be familiar with a community and recognize voters who appear year after year.

I oppose this bill.

I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

My husband and I are extremely concerned about proposed abortion bills and legislation. We have lived in this state for many years and never dreamed of these bills moving forward and are aghast at the thought of it. We are vehemently opposed to any such passage of abortion and whole heartedly in favor of preserving and protecting all life espeically of the most vulnerable unborn life that all science now admits. Please say "no" to such bills.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia strongly supports HB639, which will clarify the support that elections offices may accept. We thank Del. Krizek for introducing this bill. The current rule uses language so vague that many registrars have become reluctant to work with organizations like the LWV on voter registration, including in the high schools. This has limited our ability to achieve one of our core functions, registering voters. The existing restrictions were interpreted differently throughout the state, further inhibiting our ability to serve voters. This bill resolves much of this confusion and we urge you to pass it. The League of Women Voters of Virginia strongly endorses clarifying the prohibition on personally carrying a firearm. We also support extending the reach of that prohibition to 100 feet from any entrance to: a voting or vote counting location; the office of a general registrar; a building where a local electoral board meets to conduct its business before, during, and after an election; and the location where the State Board of Elections ascertains the results of an election. Normally, we would hesitate to apply one restricted zone to electioneering, which is 40 feet, and a different one to the knowing carrying of firearms. Unfortunately, the fact is that the danger firearms present extends well beyond 40 feet. People who carry firearms pose a serious potential threat to voters and all elections officials. Even if those people do not intend to pose a threat, their presence while armed is intimidating and creates a chilling effect on voting, voter registration, and election-related activities in general. The visible presence of armed individuals so close to voting sites and election offices echoes an ugly part of our history we do not want to revisit. We urge you to report HB 909.

I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

I support HB 909 and request that it be passed (again) to keep voters, volunteers, library users, and election officials in Virginia Beach safe from a known, mentally disturbed gunman who was allowed to loiter day after day just outside our early voting sites. Over the course of multiple election cycles, this armed mentally unstable man frequented the Registrar’s office and the Kempsville Library early voting sites, with a pistol prominently displayed in a holster on his hip. This man shouted repeatedly, confronted voters arriving at the polls, stood in the way of voters attempting to enter the polls, reportedly got into an fight with two voters, continuously behaved in an aggressive and confrontational manner, and even followed voters attempting to leave the polls, shouting after them. Walking into the polling place the first day of early voting at a satellite site, I personally reported this man to the elections Chief at the Kempsville Library early voting site. The Chief responded, “[Name?] He’s all right,” and laughed, turning away. Complaints about this gunman’s erratic behavior piled up, but were consistently ignored. Eventually the city posted an armed sheriff’s deputy or police officer at the Kempsville Library during the hours the gunman was present, usually on a daily basis. Although this action was an obvious admission of the fact that the gunman posed a danger, no one took action to simply expel this man from the polling place based on his erratic behavior, or to arrest him. This mentally disturbed gunman taunted observers, straddling the forty foot line, with the gun on his hip just outside the forty foot line, hopping back and forth from one foot to another over the line, daring a confrontation. On his facebook page, this gunman scoffed at the complaints against him, stating that complainants should check with the Sheriff, because his friend the Sheriff would vouch for him. Lengthy discussions of his behavior ensued on Nextdoor, where a witness reported that this man had illegally gone over the 40 foot line, spotted on the steps of the Registrar’s office during early voting, with a gun on his hip. At some point, the man reported on his facebook page that he had been hired by a local Republican candidate for the General Assembly. He later reportedly moved on to Suffolk (although it is not known whether or not he remained armed or was allowed to stay at the Suffolk polling places). The local newspaper, the Virginian-Pilot, had earlier done a cute poof piece on this mentally ill unstable gunman’s quest to keep an “emotional support emu,” garnering sympathy for his supposed quest to keep the emu. (Although in spite of his court victory over the emu, the original owner of the emu reportedly took the emu back and would not return it). When asked, the local newspaper failed to send the same reporter, who had created the false impression that this gunman was somehow a sympathetic, cute character, over to the polling place to observe his actual aggressive, belligerent behavior, and failed to do a follow up story. Fortunately, NO ONE HAS BEEN SHOT, YET. Who failed the voters in Virginia Beach and allowed this dangerous travesty to continue on and on? The Electoral Board. The Elections office. The Chief at the Kempsville Library early voting site. The Sheriff’s Department. The Police Department. The Virginian-Pilot. Candidates and political parties who encouraged and/or ignored the danger posed by a mentally disturbed gunman.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia strongly supports HB639, which will clarify the support that elections offices may accept. We thank Del. Krizek for introducing this bill. The current rule uses language so vague that many registrars have become reluctant to work with organizations like the LWV on voter registration, including in the high schools. This has limited our ability to achieve one of our core functions, registering voters. The existing restrictions were interpreted differently throughout the state, further inhibiting our ability to serve voters. This bill resolves much of this confusion and we urge you to pass it. The League of Women Voters of Virginia strongly endorses clarifying the prohibition on personally carrying a firearm. We also support extending the reach of that prohibition to 100 feet from any entrance to: a voting or vote counting location; the office of a general registrar; a building where a local electoral board meets to conduct its business before, during, and after an election; and the location where the State Board of Elections ascertains the results of an election. Normally, we would hesitate to apply one restricted zone to electioneering, which is 40 feet, and a different one to the knowing carrying of firearms. Unfortunately, the fact is that the danger firearms present extends well beyond 40 feet. People who carry firearms pose a serious potential threat to voters and all elections officials. Even if those people do not intend to pose a threat, their presence while armed is intimidating and creates a chilling effect on voting, voter registration, and election-related activities in general. The visible presence of armed individuals so close to voting sites and election offices echoes an ugly part of our history we do not want to revisit. We urge you to report HB 909.

SUPPORT - This bill supports election workers, volunteers, and voters by helping strengthen safety requirements and confidence in our elections. Intimidation has no place in this process.

I support this bill because armed intimidation is undemocratic.

I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

Oppose Democrats and Socialists forcing gerrymandering in Virginia. We know that the left is trying to get power. We know the illegal aliens are one source for getting democratic votes. What happened to following the Rule of Law in America and following it without causing chaos, lockdowns, destruction, propaganda, riots, censoring, spying, fraudulent schemes, mail in ballots, and other forms of corruption?

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the recently proposed bills on gun control. While I understand the intent behind these bills—to enhance public safety—I firmly believe that they will have unintended consequences that infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. The Second Amendment guarantees "the right of individuals to keep and bear arms", and it is a fundamental part of what makes this country free. These bills being proposed would place unnecessary and burdensome restrictions on responsible gun owners, making it harder for Virginians to exercise their rights in a lawful and safe manner. Rather than focusing on restricting access to firearms, I urge the General Assembly to consider measures that target criminals and illegal activities, such as enforcing stricter penalties for those who use firearms in the commission of crimes, or improving background checks for gun purchases. It is essential to address the root causes of violence, such as mental health issues and gang-related activity, rather than punishing responsible gun owners who follow the law. Furthermore, these proposed bills could create significant logistical challenges for gun owners, particularly those who rely on their firearms for self-defense, hunting, or recreational activities. The financial burden and potential legal ramifications of complying with these new regulations would be overwhelming for many Virginians. I strongly urge you to reconsider these proposals and to focus on policies that protect both our rights and our communities. I trust that you will make the best decision for all Virginians, and I sincerely hope that you will oppose these bills.