During the course of your duties, when considering our (Election Administrators/General Registrars/Directors of Elections) request to finally be paid commensurate with our duties after 29 years of added duties without corresponding compensation, please keep in mind that every election law that is passed adds to our duties. There were over 69 NEW Election laws last year in the midst of a pandemic and the most grueling, contentious election cycle EVER. Every election law passed without funding jeopardizes our ability to get it all done due to lack of resources, staff, funding and time. The loss of any of the experienced, dedicated General Registrars because of compensation is a travesty and is likely to become a reality without the appropriate compensation. Please correct this inequity in compensation THIS SESSION. 1. Adjust compensation brackets in accordance with state studies (2 of them) 2. resume 100% reimbursement of NEW base salary to localities 3. Make it happen THIS session. We have earned it. We are the ones out here taking the abuse as a result of unfounded accusations and insinuations. Please understand that the 133 General Registrars statewide who count votes, compile results, verify results, process absentee by mail ballots, and so much more, do so with bi-partisan observers (sent by local political committees!!) and sworn election officials every.single.step! NOTHING is done in secret. EVERYTHING is reviewed and verified by a three member board (Electoral Board) representing both political parties. These board members are nominated by the local political committees and signed off on by a panel of judges! WE are not the enemy and the more you present laws insinuating that something is shady, the more you erode voter confidence on both sides of the aisle! The fact that a bill has passed the house to ADD SUNDAYS to early voting should be enough reason to pay us appropriately itself. We work 100s and 1000s of hours of overtime yet aren't paid equally and aren't valued equally to our fellow county government counterparts. The longer you ignore this and pass over doing the right thing, the more you send the message to your constituents, candidates, and fellow delegates that elections aren't important to you. NOW is the time to make this right.

Honorable committee members, My name is Karen Whitlock, and I urge each of you to support either HJ513 or HJ514. One year ago nearly to date, the nation was informed that a novel virus from China had reached our shores. Since then, it has devastated our nation and state at so many levels and continues to challenge us. Sadly, the virus became politicized. These two proposed amendments arose because of the obvious need for more checks and balances on and accountability from the state's executive branch during such a crisis. The amendments do not favor one party over another, encourages input from citizens through their representatives, and provide enough time for the government to collect information, devise plans, and implement reasonable responses within a reasonable duration. I hope that you will see the value of these amendments and advance them so that, ultimately, the citizens of Virginia can feel confident during dire circumstances that their voices are heard and respected by their elected leaders.

Do not give the homosexuals any rights that everyone enjoys. They are not special but are a detriment to society. Please do not give 16 year olds voting privileges. Voting is a God given right that the US Constitution gives to everyone 18 and older. We should not want to lower the standard just so the demorats can get more votes. Do not give black face hypocrite northam more power so he can keep the state bottled up like he has done since March. Open up the state instead of giving him more supposed power. Do not find a constitutional amendment for climate change. All you need to do is go to the mountains of WV and you will see the climate is just fine. Do not regulate guns in polling places. I have a concealed weapons permit but I rarely use it. For people who do, there may be a time when you would wish that someone had a CHP and taken out the bad guy who is assaulting you or worse. Do not

Stop trying to change the constitution and uphold what is already there. Stop trying to change gun laws that effect law abiding citizens. If you want to take guns away start with taking them from criminals. You know the gun laws you all create only hurts law abiding citizens. If you would enforce the laws you already have, you wouldn't need to make any more laws. Do your research people, the numbers don't lie. Less than 500 people a year are killed by all rifles. More people are killed by hands and feet than rifles. More people are killed by hammers, bats, and blunt objects. Do your research people. You need to wake up and think for yourself. The facts are there, stop ignoring them.

Insure you sign COS and stop with politics!

Honorable committee members, My name is Karen Whitlock, and I urge each of you to support either HJ513 or HJ514. One year ago nearly to date, the nation was informed that a novel virus from China had reached our shores. Since then, it has devastated our nation and state at so many levels and continues to challenge us. Sadly, the virus became politicized. These two proposed amendments arose because of the obvious need for more checks and balances on and accountability from the state's executive branch during such a crisis. The amendments do not favor one party over another, encourages input from citizens through their representatives, and provide enough time for the government to collect information, devise plans, and implement reasonable responses within a reasonable duration. I hope that you will see the value of these amendments and advance them so that, ultimately, the citizens of Virginia can feel confident during dire circumstances that their voices are heard and respected by their elected leaders.

Do not give the homosexuals any rights that everyone enjoys. They are not special but are a detriment to society. Please do not give 16 year olds voting privileges. Voting is a God given right that the US Constitution gives to everyone 18 and older. We should not want to lower the standard just so the demorats can get more votes. Do not give black face hypocrite northam more power so he can keep the state bottled up like he has done since March. Open up the state instead of giving him more supposed power. Do not find a constitutional amendment for climate change. All you need to do is go to the mountains of WV and you will see the climate is just fine. Do not regulate guns in polling places. I have a concealed weapons permit but I rarely use it. For people who do, there may be a time when you would wish that someone had a CHP and taken out the bad guy who is assaulting you or worse. Do not

Stop trying to change the constitution and uphold what is already there. Stop trying to change gun laws that effect law abiding citizens. If you want to take guns away start with taking them from criminals. You know the gun laws you all create only hurts law abiding citizens. If you would enforce the laws you already have, you wouldn't need to make any more laws. Do your research people, the numbers don't lie. Less than 500 people a year are killed by all rifles. More people are killed by hands and feet than rifles. More people are killed by hammers, bats, and blunt objects. Do your research people. You need to wake up and think for yourself. The facts are there, stop ignoring them.

Insure you sign COS and stop with politics!

Do not give the homosexuals any rights that everyone enjoys. They are not special but are a detriment to society. Please do not give 16 year olds voting privileges. Voting is a God given right that the US Constitution gives to everyone 18 and older. We should not want to lower the standard just so the demorats can get more votes. Do not give black face hypocrite northam more power so he can keep the state bottled up like he has done since March. Open up the state instead of giving him more supposed power. Do not find a constitutional amendment for climate change. All you need to do is go to the mountains of WV and you will see the climate is just fine. Do not regulate guns in polling places. I have a concealed weapons permit but I rarely use it. For people who do, there may be a time when you would wish that someone had a CHP and taken out the bad guy who is assaulting you or worse. Do not

Insure you sign COS and stop with politics!

Please change the wording and responsibility for Virginia in our constitution from “seek to” to “ensure” a high quality education. This would make it constitutionally mandated to provide a high quality education to all students, regardless of their zip code. Thanks, Josh Irby

Regarding HJ548 - Hurst, Constitutional amendment (first reference); education; public schools; standards of quality. -- Given the importance of constitutional mandates in this state and this country, this bill is critical to establish that a high-quality educational program and high quality, free, public elementary and secondary school system is an absolute right for our children, their families, and our communities. It's also critical that educators and other qualified members on the Board of Education for school divisions direct the standards of quality prescribed for our schools, not the General Assembly. I strongly urge the committee to support and report HJ548, and to support it when it comes to a vote! Regarding HJ551 - Rasoul, Constitutional amendment (first reference); qualifications of voters;16-year-olds permitted to vote. As a community member and parent, this is a fantastic proposed constitutional amendment that I highly support! At age 16, no less than at age 18, young people in our communities are highly engaged, and highly knowledgeable about local circumstances, needs, and priorities. They deserve and should have the right to vote in our local elections - absolutely! I strongly urge the committee to support and report HJ551, and to support it when it comes to a vote.

I support HJ548 to restore the Board of Education's authority to establish the Standard of Quality. School curriculum should not be legislated. It is time that the Commonwealth of Virginia "ensures" a high quality free public education.

It SHOULD be the responsibility of the Commonwealth, rather than the General Assembly, to provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools and to ENSURE a high quality education, as stated in HJ548. The Board of Education SHOULD have full authority over the Standards of Quality prescribed for school divisions.

I am writing in support of the Constitutional Amendment to “Ensure” a High Quality Education so that the Commonwealth will actually be mandated to provide a high quality education to all students, regardless of their zip code.

I do not support any measures proposed to change the Constitution of Virginia in regards to the Electoral College or the age of eligibility of voting.

The patron of this needs to resign. What is he thinking? 16 year olds are thinking about dating and cars and proms and enjoying life. They have no experience to make informed decisions. I am going to post this on facebook and hope that others let you know their feelings as well. This is not worth the paper it was written on.

I do not support this Bill to enter into any type of "compact" with other States regarding our electors. Virginia's 13 Electors are Virginia's and not any other States. Virginia should not "give away" our electors to any other State and/or Compact of States over the popular election. Our forefathers set - up the Electoral College to ensure all STATES have a voice; each State / Commonwealth have their Electors and they sign a pledge after the vote is Certified. Our votes should count; our state should not be ignored; our Electors should be independent of any outside influence and carry out their duties and pledges after the Election and which ever Candidate "wins" our Commonwealth and our Vote. Voting is Sacred; Voting is a Right given to us at the Cost of so many - who protect our Freedom/s. Please Vote NO; I do not support this legislation; Do the Right Thing; Keep our Electors Free from any type of Compact of State/s - Influence. I have resided in the Commonwealth of Virginia my entire life; I want candidates to visit our state; campaign in our state and EARN our VOTES as well as our Trust. This Bill should NOT be passed and should be removed from consideration; I humbly submit.

I'm not sure why there is a "push" to pre-register 16 years old to Vote in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I am the father of (3) Children; all whom attended Fairfax County Public Schools. At the age of 16, they were more interested in mastering the "art" of driving; spending time with friends; being involved in athletics; church - youth groups; "hanging out with their friends and classmates; and just being a "kid." They have their entire adult life to VOTE. At the age of 18, they become an adult; why are we asking for our children (teens) to make adult decisions at 16 and become part of the divisiveness that we are experiencing regarding politics. The right to vote is sacred; I have been voting since I was 18 years old myself. Over the years, I have taken my children to our polling place to allow them to watch me vote and exercise this duty as a citizen. I just don't believe we need to amend our laws in 2021 to allow the pre-registration of 16 year old teens that should be focused on "other things in life" than politics. Why not focus on our education; college visits; trade school visits and explore who they want to be and "what they want to be..." I do not support this bill and I hope other Virginians don't as well. I hope the General Assembly does the "right thing" and allows are 16 and 17 years olds to enjoy their Teens.

Do not give the homosexuals any rights that everyone enjoys. They are not special but are a detriment to society. Please do not give 16 year olds voting privileges. Voting is a God given right that the US Constitution gives to everyone 18 and older. We should not want to lower the standard just so the demorats can get more votes. Do not give black face hypocrite northam more power so he can keep the state bottled up like he has done since March. Open up the state instead of giving him more supposed power. Do not find a constitutional amendment for climate change. All you need to do is go to the mountains of WV and you will see the climate is just fine. Do not regulate guns in polling places. I have a concealed weapons permit but I rarely use it. For people who do, there may be a time when you would wish that someone had a CHP and taken out the bad guy who is assaulting you or worse. Do not

There are good reasons why our election system was set up the way it was! Vote NO on 1933- this basically disenfranchises Virginia voters. On HB 2239 yes, absentee ballots shoul absolutely be counted before the election- and not announced until the end of the Election Day. HJ539 God does not permit same-sex marriage. Neither should we.

Strongly support. This is common sense.

Strongly oppose.

Stop trying to change the constitution and uphold what is already there. Stop trying to change gun laws that effect law abiding citizens. If you want to take guns away start with taking them from criminals. You know the gun laws you all create only hurts law abiding citizens. If you would enforce the laws you already have, you wouldn't need to make any more laws. Do your research people, the numbers don't lie. Less than 500 people a year are killed by all rifles. More people are killed by hands and feet than rifles. More people are killed by hammers, bats, and blunt objects. Do your research people. You need to wake up and think for yourself. The facts are there, stop ignoring them.

I oppose HJ551!!! A 16 year old has no business voting! If you are not old enough to buy alcohol or tobacco products, you are not old enough to vote! This is the most ridiculous bill ever! I work with 16 year olds everyday in the public school setting and they are not at a maturity level nor have they even studied Government to understand how the three branches of our government work. Absolutely NO to 16 year olds voting!!! Remeber we the people of VA elected YOU to represent us and not your own personal agenda!!!!!

I am against this amendment. 16 year olds who are not legally adults should not be allowed to vote because they have not yet had time to mature into adults and weigh in on the issues facing voters appropriately. As a parent of 3 children, having watched the maturation process of them and their friends, they really didn't understand the full responsibilities of adulthood and the consequences of their votes until they were out of the house and on their own, which was well into their twenties. If they're not mature enough to drink or join the military, they're not old enough to vote.

Since the founding of Virginia, self-made firearms have been legal, and this ban on 80% completed firearms frames would instantly make thousands of law-abiding citizens felons! For those who don't know, an 80% receiver is not considered a firearm under Federal Law, and it is legal to anyone who can own a firearm to purchase one of these receivers and finish it themselves. This is yet another effort by the anti-gun advocates to turn citizens into criminals. Not only that, but by eliminating the sale and possession of 80% receivers, completed or not, this is nothing but a full bore effort for complete and total firearm registration lists. Historically in America and other countries, gun registration lists lead to confiscation lists. Privacy is the number one reason people purchase 80% lower receiver kits. Because the kits are not functional weapons until further tooling, they do not have serial numbers, so they are not registered in any way. And like the 2nd Amendment clearly states, the right to bear arms shall not be infringed!

Insure you sign COS and stop with politics!

HB1933. A ridiculous idea. DONOT DISENFRANCHISE my VOTE and ALL Virginia citizens' votes. I OPPOSE! HB1869, HB1872, HB 1888. NO "voting by mail" other than a citizen's request from his or her county/city where one is legally registered to VOTE. HB2125, HJ551. Another ridiculous idea...NO to 16 year old voting, they are CHILDREN. 18 years old is bad enough in a vast majority of cases.

The electoral college was put in place because it works. Do NOT get rid of the electoral college. 16 year olds should not be voting. The voting age must remain at age 18.

There needs to be better ID for voters including picture ID and proof of citizenship. Allowing 16 year old youngsters to vote is not a wise decision. This age group can be manipulated, and most have no real understanding of the voting process, the issues, or the candidates running for office. They will simply be parroting what their parents believe. I don’t think popular vote is a good idea. It opens up more illegal voting opportunities, especially where illegals are involved. Thank you for this opportunity to speak.

Absolutely not. A 16 year old should not even be behind the wheel of a car. They cannot purchase cigarettes until they're 18. Cannot purchase alcohol until they're 21. Cannot own a weapon until they're at least 18. Xannot join the military until they're 18 without written consent from a parent. Cannit be tried as an adult until 18. But you want to let them vote at 16? Are you serious. They cannot even figure out what gender they are anymore. This is just another ploy by the left to garner more votes from a generation that is taught what to think by liberal teachers. Hence men competing against women in women's sports. Men using women's bathrooms because they're mentally unstable and think they are women. I will file lawsuit after lawsuit against this asinine party.

Please pass this. It’s the right thing to do.

I wholeheartedly and free of mind and will do attest, as a full citizen, my support of this bill. We need to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact so that the chaos of the 2020 election never happens again given such a clear popular vote winner. We need to stop PSC controlled corporations from contributing to those we vote to protect us from their near monopoly power which requires them to be regulated in the first place. Indeed, we should eliminate corporate contributions to political campaigns; bring campaigns back to the middle! Also, no more spending those campaign dollars on trips to fancy beaches and mountain resorts—that’s not why we give! Let the people vote, no more discrimination of any kind and if we let them drive at 16 they should be able to vote on those laws. If they were convicted of an unjust felonious infraction, such as marijuana possession, they should not have their voting rights abdicated so they can’t vote to overturn the unjust code through voting! And we need to keep our elections free and fair and not allow firearms at the polls to intimidate voters and politicians! I voted against the marriage act because I support the LGBTQ community and also support common law marriage protections for women. We need to amend this unconstitutional and disrespectful portion of our chief document.! We should be a Souls to the Polls state and have Sunday early voting! Absentee ballots should not be considered after-thought tie-breakers. They are legitimate ballots and should be counted as they came in. What happened in Pennsylvania should never happen here! Finally, I wish to state for the record as a citizen from the fastest growing region in the Commonwealth, the region from Reston/Great Falls to Leesburg, I was aghast when I saw of the 64 names legislators chose to send to the judges, not a single one the legislators selected was from this region. This is a major flaw of this Amendment—politicians as gatekeepers! But, we have the amendment and who knows what shenanigans the folks on the board will try. This is why we need fuller transparency with every action the committee takes under public scrutiny. Thank you and I sincerely hope you will pass this bill!

Regarding HJ548 - Hurst, Constitutional amendment (first reference); education; public schools; standards of quality. -- Given the importance of constitutional mandates in this state and this country, this bill is critical to establish that a high-quality educational program and high quality, free, public elementary and secondary school system is an absolute right for our children, their families, and our communities. It's also critical that educators and other qualified members on the Board of Education for school divisions direct the standards of quality prescribed for our schools, not the General Assembly. I strongly urge the committee to support and report HJ548, and to support it when it comes to a vote! Regarding HJ551 - Rasoul, Constitutional amendment (first reference); qualifications of voters;16-year-olds permitted to vote. As a community member and parent, this is a fantastic proposed constitutional amendment that I highly support! At age 16, no less than at age 18, young people in our communities are highly engaged, and highly knowledgeable about local circumstances, needs, and priorities. They deserve and should have the right to vote in our local elections - absolutely! I strongly urge the committee to support and report HJ551, and to support it when it comes to a vote.