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.

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.

Good afternoon, Thank you for taking my comments. I would like to reinforce the presentation you will hear from Chesapeake's Mayor, Rick West. I, too, hope to have an opportunity to speak, but understand the restraints on your valuable time and important work. 17 Virginia cities and over 100 Virginia towns hold local elections. The top reason for May elections is to give our voters an opportunity to focus on local issues that truly affect their daily lives. I like to say "there are no politics in potholes." Holding the local elections in November would cloud important issues that may be unique to a City or Town. Every locality has the opportunity to change the election dates based on the desires of their citizens as opposed to a mandate they have not asked to be imposed. For a candidate challenging incumbents, breaking through to achieve name ID and issue positions would be an expensive and intense challenge. When looking around the Commonwealth, the biggest changes voters make is in May when the can use their votes to replace incumbents who have not fulfilled their expectations. For a challenger to raise enough money to fund a campaign and overcome name ID's enjoyed by incumbents would be difficult. The new voter access laws you passed in 2020 encourage stronger turnout. We saw that in our local 2020 election when 15,000 more voters participated. As our citizens become more comfortable with the process, those numbers will surely continue to grow. As a representative of the Citizens of our City, I encourage greater participation and value the opportunity to hear and understand voter concerns about our local issues like the education of their children and grandchildren; the need for better access to mental health services, protecting the environment and to create a City of opportunity for all ages to name a few. I ask you to please listen to the voices across our Commonwealth to support local issues staying local and trust our voters to make the choices in a non-partisan manner based on issues. Debbie Ritter

Hello - I am writing on behalf of the Berryville Town Council, as its Ward 4 representative. Last evening, we unanimously endorsed the dissemination of a letter to Gov. Northam and our General Assembly representatives (Sen. Vogel and Del. LaRock) expressing our opposition to SB 1157. Below please see an excerpt from our letter below. Dear. Gov. Northam, The Town Council strongly opposes any effort to force Virginia's municipalities to move their elections from May to November. Such a move would serve to inject both national and state politics into local elections. Moving local elections to November will also result in the muting of local issues. Our elections are about Town issues, not the fights in Washington and Richmond, and it is in the best interest of the citizens of Berryville that it stays that way. It is also important to note during May elections Berryville's voters cast their ballots at one precinct. If local elections are moved to November, then Berryville's residents will be voting in five different precincts, some of which are located miles from Town. Thank you for your consideration of the Berryville Town Council's position in this regard. Please keep the decisions on local elections to local residents. Kara C. Rodriguez Ward 4 Representative Berryville Town Council

To start with the lesser objection to May elections, the expense of running such small contests is so trivial that you should dismiss out of hand this argument for a November consolidation. If “turnout is everything” as a reason to move local elections to November, why does VA continue to have its state-wide elections in odd years? The turnout is certainly lower than if conducted in presidential years, but you, as winners of these elections, seem willing to accept the tradeoff. Perhaps you understand that , though fewer citizens will vote in November 2021 than in November 2020, they will be very likely better informed about state issues, unattracted and undistracted by federal issues, candidates, or automatic party loyalty to national parties. Your campaigns are no doubt less expensive in the odd year: no out-of-state names crowding the ballot; more attention to your personal virtues and reputations; more play for competence over ideology. . . .of course, some local and regional issues will inevitably divide, but national head-buttings will recede, and stormwater and school roof repair are not partisan. For these same reasons, we local elected officials would prefer not to spend more time, money, and effort trying to bring our concerns to our constituents over the noise and partisanship of state/national elections. Please leave us alone to do our work. If you persist in this disruption, I believe that any change should take place AFTER the next cycle in 2022. We didn’t know in 2020 that we could have a six-month extension to our terms; local candidates should know when they run what they’re in for.

Greetings. Thank you for reading my statement. We may be in the year 2021, but at times it feels like we are in the 1950s and heading back to the days of "voter suppression." It is really sad that some politicians are concerned about their own interest rather than making sure all voters have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. The peoples' voices should be heard. The people want to vote and that can only happen if the May elections are held in November. Our democracy is at risk. No one can convince me that it is not. Look at everything that has taken place in Washington, D.C. and how our country has been turned upsidedown because of extremist groups and pure hate. Please don't allow the future of Virginia to be ruled by those that are able to control who shows up for the May elections. The local elections are very important. Yet, they are poorly advertised, students are in school and no one really knows the exacts dates. Therefore, voter turnout is extremely low. Not voting to change the May elections to November is agreeing to allow only an extremely small population to dictate who runs our local areas. Every voice should matter and every vote should count. Holding an elected office is a privilege to serve the people, NOT an entitled position. Let's try to make Virginia a better place for all. Right now, it is not and I know first hand. Thank you for your time. God Bless America, but most especially the Commonwealth of Virginia. Sincerely, Dr. Shirley P. Auguste Shirleypauguste@gmail.com

The Town of Marion opposes this bill as presented. We believe the decision should remain with localities. While there are advantages to showing larger numbers voting in local elections, it is not likely that consolidated all elections will best represent the true will of the people, since local elections here are nonpartisan. By allowing localized decision, the people can decide their council members without consideration of party affiliation- allowing a more diverse, and truly representative, elected local body of leadership.

As someone who has worked at the local government level, I disagree with SB 1157 because it mandates when a local government may hold elections. It takes away a community’s ability to be responsive to local issues, whether it be police, fire/rescue, school board or street paving. Every year is an election year in Virginia, and the General Assembly should work towards improving access to polls in May and November, increasing early voting, improving absentee ballot and the voter registration process, not taking away cities and towns’ ability to be flexible and non-partisan.

I support local governments making the decision for their municipality on what dates work best. I think it is critical we give as much authority as possible to local governance as they are more in tune with the needs and wants of their constituents.

Good evening, Please consider casting your vote in opposition of SB 1157. There are those who opine SB 1157 increases voter access; however, I would argue that due to the sheer quantity of information voters could be asked to process, a singular Election Day would be more of an impediment to access than serve as a lever to universal access. Having to inform ourselves about the candidates for federal, state and local elections, as well as referendums is too much information to process with fidelity. Your fellow Virginians serve in many different capacities. We are parents, spouses, care-givers to our aging parents, full-time employees, members of our churches and civic organizations and volunteers in our communities. We deserve the opportunity to focus our attention solely on local elections. We are best served by those closest to us—our local leaders. I live and vote in Chesapeake and work in Virginia Beach and have listened to my friends and colleagues in Virginia Beach share they did not feel informed about the candidates in the local elections in November of 2020. Also noteworthy to mention my colleagues are some of the most informed, educated people I know—we are educators! Local candidates and referendums have a tendency to be hidden or overshadowed by “bigger” state and federal elections. Appreciate your time, consideration and service. Please oppose SB 1157. Kind regards, Jennifer Sharer Knight Chesapeake, Virginia

I rise in opposition to mandating that all local elections should be in November. While I live in a city that does have its elections in November, I believe this is the decision of each locality to decided with their citizens. This how the seed of local self-government is planted and maintain. I hope this committee rejects this bill and allow for Town and Cities to govern themselves.

Other than out of respect for Senator Spruill, who I'm sure filed this bill with the best of intentions, I am unsure why SB1157 is being considered. It is my understanding that no locality has requested moving May municipal elections to November. While there are small pockets of the population that may be in favor of this, it is not a formal request from the majority of affected localities--or any one locality that I know of-- at this time. I am in favor of letting localities determine their own needs and desires when it comes to issues such as this one. And if, indeed, one locality has requested that its May elections move to November, it should not be imposed on everyone. Local candidates are lost in the shuffle when they are on the same ballot as Presidential and Senate candidates. Local issues, such as roads and schools, will be buried under partisan issues. This is clearly not in localities' best interests. It will not give us more responsive government , better schools, or better infrastructure. And isn't that what we all want? In November elections local candidates must raise more money to compete on the airways and in print. The concept of grassroots, independent candidates even having a chance of being heard is greatly diminished. Furthermore, the results of the Virginia Beach November 2020 election demonstrate that there was a steady decrease in the number of votes cast for down-ballot candidates. This translated into 75,000 fewer voters by the time people got to the at-large School Board races. It may have been "voter fatigue" or the fact that many people didn't even know there were local candidates! Just as each one of you would like to be sure your message is heard at election time, local candidates need to have the opportunity to present themselves to the people they hope to represent. I respectfully request that you consider my comments favorably. With best regards, Carole de Triquet

Members of the committee, It is deeply troubling to me that legislation is being considered, which would usurp the power of local residents in deciding when to hold local elections. In Virginia, we have municipalities who hold both May and November local elections. This issue has been decided by the residents of our various cities and counties. While I believe that residents should advocate for November elections if they wish to shift voting from May to November, this is rightly done at the local level and should reflect the different interests of each community. Many localities who choose to hold May elections do so because November elections tend to be caught up with discussion on State and Federal issues. May elections allow members of the community to focus on and discuss local issues and local solutions. For many communities in Virginia, this is preferable and allows them a greater opportunity to make informed choices on local elected officials. Virginians should retain that choice and be able to hold their elections in May if the community believes it is best. The General Assembly has no business disenfranchising communities, by stripping them of the right to make this decision on their own. Our voters and localities are more than capable of deciding in their own best interest on this matter, and I hope you will reject SB 1157, which takes power and the ability to make an informed decision away from local voters. Respectfully, Jessi Rapelje

SB 1157 would move Virginia’s anti-democratic, low-turnout May elections to November. This would save taxpayers money, make voting more convenient and less confusing for voters, and encourage significantly more participation in local elections, since November turnout is far greater than May turnout. This is also a social justice issue, since the fraction of voters who turn out in May tend to be whiter, wealthier, and older than November voters (https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-moving-municipal-elections-concurrent.html?fbclid=IwAR3NUtFBtKcqyLzLL1TBUA51rW_NIWH180FCjlZIP32CztyWz7nVaK4glHw). Sadly, many local elected officials are advocating against this bill because it would make their re-elections more competitive. Please side with the PEOPLE in your district over the POLITICIANS in your district and vote for SB 1157! SB 1157 is supported by the VA NAACP, the VA League of Women Voters, the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, voting rights organizations such as the Fair Election Center and the Advancement Project. Special thanks to my representative, Delegate Shelly Simonds, for doing exactly what her constituents “hired” her to do in co-sponsoring this bill. Bravo, Del. Simonds!

Please support changing May elections to November.

SB 1157 would move Virginia’s anti-democratic, low-turnout May elections to November. This would save taxpayers money, make voting more convenient and less confusing for voters, and encourage massively more people to participate in local elections, since November turnout is far greater than May turnout. This is also a social justice issue, since the fraction of voters who turn out in May tend to be whiter, wealthier, and older than November voters (https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-moving-municipal-elections-concurrent.html?fbclid=IwAR3NUtFBtKcqyLzLL1TBUA51rW_NIWH180FCjlZIP32CztyWz7nVaK4glHw). Sadly, many local elected officials are advocating against this bill because it would make their re-elections more competitive. Please side with the PEOPLE in your district over the POLITICIANS in your district and vote for SB 1157! SB 1157 is supported by the VA NAACP, the VA League of Women Voters, the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, voting rights organizations such as the Fair Election Center and the Advancement Project.

I work as a nurse and struggle to get to local elections. I have to schedule days off to vote. I am a constituent who is asking you to support SB1157 and Vote YES to shifting Virginia's remaining low-turnout May local elections to November. Consolidating these elections will also provide another day of education to our children, as most polling precincts are schools. Municipal elections should be consolidated to November so that more voters have a voice in their local government.

SB 1157 would move Virginia’s anti-democratic, low-turnout May elections to November. This would save taxpayers money, make voting more convenient and less confusing for voters, and encourage massively more people to participate in local elections, since November turnout is far greater than May turnout. This is also a social justice issue, since the fraction of voters who turnout in May tend to be whiter, wealthier, and older than November voters (https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-moving-municipal-elections-concurrent.html?fbclid=IwAR3NUtFBtKcqyLzLL1TBUA51rW_NIWH180FCjlZIP32CztyWz7nVaK4glHw). Sadly, many local elected officials are advocating against this bill because it would make their re-elections more competitive. Please side with the PEOPLE in your district over the POLITICIANS in your district and vote for SB 1157!

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.

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.

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.

Please support changing May elections to November.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia supports repealing the constitutional provision defining marriage as only a union between one man and one woman. The League supports equal treatment under law of all marriages, regardless of the sex or gender of the parties to the marriage. The League also asks the General Assembly to consider that the civil status of marriage is already clearly distinguished from the religious institution of marriage, and that religious rights will be preserved without additional language.   Thank you.

Voting is a basic right and responsibility of citizenship. It should not be limited. How does limiting citizens' rights to vote benefit our Democratic Society? It does not. How does a voting citizen harm our Society? A voting citizen does not harm our society. There is no rational reason for restricting this right. Incarcerated persons and persons convicted of felony offenses continue to be citizens and they have views that are important to be heard. I strongly support SJ272 as the best way to correct a major wrong that has been imposed on many of our fellow citizens.

New Virginia Majority support SJ 272