Virginia’s local Electoral Boards are inherently political. Two of the three members represent the party of the Governor with the third representing the other major party, and those members are appointed by the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court for the jurisdiction. Partisan disagreements over the running of elections are nothing new, but as the “Big Lie” in the wake of the 2020 presidential election transformed election administration into a point of controversy among extremists, Virginia’s Electoral Boards have not been immune to the anti-democracy trends spreading from conspiratorial actors. Individuals who denied the results of the 2020 election or cast doubt on the safety and security of our elections are now in key positions of power over Virginia’s elections in 2023 and beyond.
Some local activists who pushed dangerous conspiracy theories about election fraud to their Electoral Boards are now members of those very Boards, with power to oversee elections and make crucial decisions that impact election administration and voter access. Similarly, individuals who coordinated the harassment of election workers under the guise of looking for election fraud are now charged with oversight of the entire process. For example, members of Electoral Boards in 2023 in Virginia cast doubt on the fairness of Virginia’s elections by claiming that voter fraud was widespread, were present in Washington, DC, on January 6th, 2021, and were receptive to QAnon conspiracy theories. All over the state, in both large and small jurisdictions, election deniers and subverters have moved to the center of election administration in Virginia.
While elections are political contests, the administration and oversight of them should be free from partisan interference. Election outcomes are decided by voters, not by those responsible for counting the votes. Injecting not just partisanship but also doubt regarding the fairness and efficacy of the electoral process is dangerous and could have profound repercussions for years to come in our faith and participation in democracy.
In Albemarle County, Electoral Board Vice Chair Clara Belle Wheeler joined the board in 2023 though she was a former member of the Virginia State Board of Elections. While serving on the State Board in 2017, she said “well-orchestrated” voter fraud “happens everyday.” She also said, “it’s not who votes that counts … it’s who counts the votes.” Wheeler was a Senior Fellow for Election Integrity for the Virginia Institute for Public Policy and led trainings for election workers and poll watchers at an event hosted by election deniers.
In Frederick County, Lynette Embree was appointed to the Electoral Board in 2022. Embree is an election denier who seems to be receptive to QAnon conspiracy theories. On President Biden’s inauguration day, she indicated her belief that Donald Trump would continue to serve as President. She agreed with a tweet arguing that the events of January 6, 2021 were a “coup” and “right out of Communist Nazi & propaganda playbook.” On January 7, 2021, she responded, “Exactly!”, to a tweet suggesting, “Cue stated, ‘Military is the only way’. The show has just begun!” She supported Sidney Powell bringing the #KrakenonSteroids to Virginia after the 2020 election.
In Hampton, Matthew Scott previously claimed that “voter fraud” was “more prevalent than the media and others are letting on” in Hampton.
Shelly Oberlander appeared on a podcast hosted by Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer who played a key role in former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Mitchell called Oberlander, “a real heroine” in her appearance. On Mitchell’s podcast, Oberlander said her interest in the election process came piqued after 2020 when, “there [were] a lot of anomalies in the 2020 elections and a lot of concerns. A lot of things didn’t make sense.”
Kristin Kalina “couldn’t say” whether President Biden beat Trump in multiple states in 2023.
In Lynchburg, Betty Gibbs embraced election conspiracy theories and was accused of playing politics with the appointment of the city’s General Registrar. The previous Registrar, Christine Gibbons, sued Gibbs, another member of the Electoral Board, Steven Troxel, and the city, claiming her contract was not renewed because she doubted conspiracy theories about the 2020 election being stolen from Donald Trump. Gibbons’ complaint also alleged that Gibbs, before being appointed to the Electoral Board, “obstructed the election process in her precinct … by inexplicably closing the electronic pollbooks during the day while elections were still in process.” The complaint also alleged that Gibbs attempted to intimidate workers in the Registrar’s office in the lead up to the 2020 election. Gibbs traveled to Washington, DC, for Trump’s rally on January 6th and told a news outlet, “I hope that the number of us sends a message to elected officials that we are not going to sit back and watch this election being stolen.”
Newport News Electoral Board member Susan Yungbluth posted a racist image on social media implying that Joe Biden worked with China to tamper with the results of the 2020 election.
Portsmouth Electoral Board member Dan Evans accused Democrats of stealing the 2020 election and promoted Dinesh D’Souza’s election conspiracy theory 2000 Mules.
A majority of Roanoke’s Electoral Board members made claims doubting the integrity of elections.