Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
MONTGOMERY COUNTY- The Board of Supervisors voted in their July 8, 2024 meeting to approve the opening of a new satellite voting office in Blacksburg.
The Board of Supervisors opened the topic up to public hearing before voting on the issue. The satellite voting office was proposed as a way to help Montgomery County voters have easier access to voting due to the lengthy time frame public transit takes from parts of Montgomery County to the current voting offices. This satellite office was proposed with the intention of combating that. The public hearing responses on the issue were mixed with some residents supporting the office, like residents Nicholas Fisher and his wife, Karen Fisher, and others opposing it.
“For 60 years,” Nicholas Fisher said, “I’ve worked on voter registration. I’ve seen people die who were working on voter registration in other parts of the country because people were trying to stop them. It’s an extremely serious issue. I don’t know if there’s anything more important than registering and voting in this country, in this democracy. One, I want to support the satellite section. I think it’s absolutely critical in the way of improving access to being able to vote.”
“Early voting has been a transformative way to include individuals whose work, finances, or other obligations,” Blacksburg council Member Liam Watson said, “previously inhibited them from casting a vote on Election Day and expanding early voting locations across the Commonwealth, like what’s on your [Board of Supervisors] docket today, has consistently improved the rate at which lower income Virginians are able to vote.”
For those that opposed, the reasons for concern included that there are 45 days of early voting available for residents and absentee ballots that are offered, as well as there being multiple places for residents to cast their votes, the registrar may not have the manpower for another office. Therefore, they said they felt need for a satellite office seemed unnecessary. Some members of the Board of Supervisors agreed with that sentiment.
“I think,” Vice Chair Steve Fijalkowski said, “we need to leave the registrar and her staff to handle this as they see fit. This is the first presidential election in this new facility; we can adjust for future elections based on what happens this year.”
The Board of Supervisors voted on the issue with a vote of four in favor and three opposed. The satellite office will be ready in time for the upcoming presidential election in the hopes that it will provide accessibility for voters and encourage residents to exercise their right to vote.
