State-Level Guidance and Oversight
At the top of the pyramid are two state-level bodies: the State Board of Elections (SBE) and the Virginia Department of Elections (ELECT). Think of them as the architects and rule-makers. The SBE is a five-member, bipartisan board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. Its job is to set the rules and regulations, ensuring uniformity across the Commonwealth. The Department of Elections (ELECT) is the administrative agency that puts the SBE's policies into action. It supervises and coordinates the work of all the local officials, manages the statewide voter registration database, and certifies voting equipment. Essentially, the state sets the standards, provides guidance, and ensures every locality is playing by the same
rulebook.
The Local Command Centers
While the state sets the overall strategy, the real on-the-ground work is handled at the local level. Virginia is divided into 133 localities (95 counties and 38 cities), and each has its own three-member Electoral Board. These board members are appointed by the chief judge of the local Circuit Court from lists provided by the local Democratic and Republican parties. This bipartisan structure is a key feature of the system. The local Electoral Board has the immense responsibility of administering elections within its jurisdiction. This includes appointing a General Registrar, approving voting equipment, and making sure every aspect of the election follows the law.
The County and City CEO of Elections
If the local Electoral Board is the board of directors, the General Registrar is the CEO. Appointed by the Electoral Board, the General Registrar is a non-partisan professional responsible for the day-to-day administration of elections. This is the person who manages voter registration, maintains the official list of voters, processes absentee ballot applications, and ensures polling places are ready for Election Day. When you register to vote, update your address, or request a mail-in ballot, you're interacting with the office of your local General Registrar. They are the public face of the election process in your community and are tasked with everything from public education to preparing ballots.
Your Neighbors at the Polls
Finally, the entire system relies on thousands of temporary workers known as Officers of Election. These are the friendly faces you see when you go to vote—the people who check you in, hand you a ballot, and ensure the process runs smoothly at your polling place. These officers are appointed by the local Electoral Board and are a critical part of the process. They arrive before dawn on Election Day to set up voting machines and stay long after the polls close to certify the results from their precinct. Virginia relies on over 15,000 of these dedicated citizens for every major election, demonstrating that, in the most direct sense, it’s your own neighbors who run your election.
