AC Electoral Board 2026 10 08 Recording

The Albemarle County Electoral Board meeting on October 22, 2026, focused on preparations for the November general election, election operations, and budget status. Staff reported that ballot-printing costs would add more than $18,000 to the relevant budget line and technology maintenance and support would increase by more than $30,000, including on-site support and equipment maintenance. A polling-place signage project was estimated at approximately $2,000–$3,000; the board discussed standardizing signs and prioritizing locations with parking or access concerns, but no signage purchase or contract award was approved. The board also discussed developing a policy for use of the campaign area in the Fifth Street facility parking lot, including vehicle parking and sign placement, and planned to bring the issue back for further consideration. No RFPs, vendor selections, or contract awards were identified.

Other discussion covered ballot duplication procedures, early voting, voter registration processing, polling-place accessibility and parking, firearm and 40-foot boundary signage, and a postage omission on absentee-ballot return envelopes from two precincts. A member raised a previously denied wage-increase request and suggested developing a strategy after the election. Following a closed session, the board unanimously approved 22 new officers of election for one-year terms beginning March 1, 2026, and approved chief and assistant-chief assignments. The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for November 12, subject to election canvass and certification work.