by Bryan Mitchell
As a result of Abigail Spanberger’s election as Governor in November, the majority on each local Electoral Board will switch to two Democrats. Madison Democrats will have the opportunity to appoint an additional member, when a current Republican member’s term expires at the end of 2026.
Like every other county and city in Virginia, Madison County has a three-member Electoral Board. The members are nominated by the Democratic and Republican Party chairs and appointed by the local Circuit Court Judge. Board members are appointed to three-year terms. There is a small stipend paid by the County for service on the Board.
While the appointment process is partisan in nature, the Board is expected to function in a non-partisan way to ensure that local elections are free, fair, and accurately tabulated. The Madison Board does operate on that basis.
The Board appoints and oversees the work of the General Registrar. Madison County is very fortunate to have a highly competent, dedicated, and people-oriented Registrar in Lauren Eanes. The Board and the Registrar work closely together throughout the year. They work together to appoint Election Officials, who are assigned to oversee the voting in each of Madison’s eight voting precincts for every election.
The Board’s principal duty is to “certify” the results of each election as being accurate. Election results are not official until that certification process is complete. That process actually begins before each election when the Board participates in testing all the machinery that will be used to tabulate votes on Election Day. Immediately after each election, the Board meets to examine the results from each precinct and make any corrections necessary in the previously reported “unofficial” returns. The Board also reviews all “provisional ballots” cast and determines whether they are valid. Once the Board has determined that all the records of the election are accurate and complete, it certifies the results to the State Department of Elections.
In 2025, out of concern over the lack of information available to voters, the Board took the step of sponsoring a Candidates Forum for those running for the Board of Supervisors and School Board. The Electoral Board expects to continue sponsoring forums for local elections in the future.
If you have questions, please email Chair Annette Hyde at madisonvadems@gmail.com.