The Board of Supervisors and County staff take the concerns very seriously and have been committed to resolving the concerns as expeditiously as possible.
First and foremost, the change recently made by the Electoral Board occurred because the federal census Border is not consistent with the tax parcel border between the two jurisdictions. Unfortunately, our tax parcel border with Louisa has been in dispute for over 250 years. Goochland regrets the length of time that this dispute has existed and the problems it has caused; however, the two counties recently outlined a path to bring the census border and tax parcel border into alignment.
Goochland County Efforts
Reassignment of Voters:
Letter to All Affected Goochland County residents
On May 13, 2019 County Administrator John Budesky sent a letter to all affected Goochland County residents. A copy of the letter is available here.
Request the Electoral Board to Revisit their April 22, 2019 Vote & Support Options to Vote Locally
On June 20, 2019 Board of Supervisors Chair Manuel Alvarez, Jr. sent the Goochland County Electoral Board a letter strongly requesting and urging the Electoral Board to revisit their decision and previous practices that allowed voters to vote in their local elections. The Electoral Board was also urged to develop and support solutions and alternatives that would allow affected Goochland and Louisa voters to vote where they pay taxes and have historically voted for at least the local races. A copy of the letter is available here.
Request Senator Peake's Assistance in Having the General Assembly Reconsider Senate Bill 1102 (Legislative District Boundaries)
On June 21, 2019 Board of Supervisors Chair Manuel Alvarez, Jr. sent Senator Mark J. Peake (22nd Senate District) and Delegates R. Lee Ware, Jr. (65th House District) and John J. McGuire (56th House District) a letter requesting their assistance in having an amended version of Senate Bill 1102 (legislative district boundaries) heard during the July 9th General Assembly Special Session. A copy of the letter is available here.
Revise the Census Border:
The census border can only be revised in conjunction with a federal census. Goochland and Louisa Counties have agreed to submit, for the upcoming 2020 census, census boundaries that match the tax parcel boundaries. It is our understanding that, once accepted and certified, the tax parcel boundaries and the census boundaries will then be in alignment. Unless a legislative solution is identified sooner, the certification is anticipated in calendar year 2021. There will be additional efforts required to fully address the boundary related issues; however, the issue the of citizens voting in their respective counties where they pay taxes will be substantially resolved.
Specific Voting Related Questions:
Any specific voting-related questions and concerns can be directed to the County's General Registrar and Director of Elections Ryan Mulligan at (804) 556-5803 or rmulligan@goochlandva.us.
*** June 28, 2019 Update ***
Request Attorney General Mark R. Herring to Expeditiously Review and Provide an Attorney General’s Official Advisory Opinion In Response to the Electoral Board’s Request
On June 28, 2019 Board of Supervisors Chair Manuel Alvarez, Jr. sent Attorney General Mark R. Herring a letter requesting and urging the Office of the Attorney General to expeditiously review and provide an Attorney General’s Official Advisory Opinion in response to a request from the Goochland County Electoral Board. The Goochland County Electoral Board submitted their request to Attorney General Mark R. Herring and the Office of the Attorney General on June 20, 2019. A copy of the Electoral Board's letter is available here. A copy of the Board of Supervisors letter is available here.
*** July 3, 2019 Update ***
General Assembly Reconsideration of Senate Bill 1102 (Legislative District Boundaries) Unsuccessful
On July 1, 2019 Delegate R. Lee Ware, Jr. (65th House District) advised Goochland that he had consulted Virginia Division of Legislative Services staff about trying to file a House version of Senate Bill 1102 (SB 1102) (filed by Senator Mark Peake during the regular session) for consideration at the Special Session on July 9th. It was determined that due to the nature of the Special Session, the legislation could not be filed and the localities were urged to resolve it amongst themselves. The Goochland County Board of Supervisors and County staff are thankful to Goochland’s General Assembly Delegation for their efforts and assistance in trying to have SB 1102 heard during the Special Session.
Goochland County Board of Supervisors Reiterates Importance of Resolving Voter Precinct Reassignments and Directs Additional Efforts
On July 2, 2019 the Goochland County Board of Supervisors met in two separate closed sessions to consult and discuss potential efforts and solutions with the County Administrator and County Attorney. As a result of these discussion, the Board of Supervisors has directed additional efforts be taken by the County Administrator, County Attorney, and staff.
It is fundamentally important to the Goochland County Board of Supervisors that the voter precinct reassignments issue be resolved and that citizens be able to vote for representatives in the locality where they pay their taxes. It is critically important that a final resolution occur now, so these citizens are able to vote in the upcoming election, where the majority of local offices are on the ballot.
The Board of Supervisors sympathizes with the affected residents and will pursue every possible action legally available to it to seek a final resolution for them. To that end the Board of Supervisors has taken two additional efforts identified below.
- The Board of Supervisors has directed County Administrator John A. Budesky and county staff to continue to work with the Goochland County Electoral Board and General Registrar/Director of Elections to seek any and all remedies that would allow affected Goochland residents to vote where they historically pay taxes.
- The Board of Supervisors has instructed County Attorney Tara A. McGee to examine all legal options available that may resolve this pressing issue for Goochland residents and voters affected.
Request Senator Warner, Senator Kaine, and Representative Spanberger’s Assistance in Ensuring Census Border Lines Are Accepted and Approved
On July 3, 2019 Board of Supervisors Chair Manuel Alvarez, Jr. sent Senator Warner, Senator Kaine, and Representative Spanberger a request for assistance in ensuring that the Census Border Lines submitted to the United States Bureau of the Census by Goochland and Louisa counties are reviewed, accepted, and approved as soon as possible. A copy of the Board of Supervisors letter is available here.