Taking Action to Promote Free and Fair Elections

On August 9, 2026, Westminster’s Session adopted a motion supporting measures to encourage the congregation to take action to promote free and fair elections. Two vital steps that congregation members can take are:

Serve as an Election Officer

Election officials set up voting equipment, check voter IDs and names in the electronic poll book, instruct voters on how to use the voting machines, and tabulate the results at the close of the polls. Voters registered in their city or county who aren’t elected officials or employees of an elected official can serve as election officers. Election officers must attend a training session before the election. On Election Day, they must be available to serve from approximately 5 am to 8 pm or later (polls are open from 6 am to 7 pm). During the 45-Day Early Voting period, you can volunteer for shorter shifts. To learn more about the role of election officers and to sign up for this role in your electoral district, click the following links: 

Albemarle County: https://www.albemarle.org/government/elections/get-involved/working-at-the-polls

Charlottesville: https://www.charlottesville.gov/445/Officers-of-Election

Fluvanna County: https://www.fluvannacounty.org/registrar/page/officer-election-information

Nelson Country: https://www.nelsoncounty-va.gov/venue/nelson-county-registrars-office/

Greene County: https://www.greenecountyva.gov/219/Electoral-Board

Serve as an Election Observer/Poll Watcher

Registered Virginia voters can serve as inside or outside election observers, also known as poll watchers. Each political party and independent candidate on the ballot may designate up to three authorized inside observers. Inside poll watchers observe the opening and closing of the polls, including the vote count, and may sit inside the polling place while votes are cast. Outside observers greet voters and distribute sample ballots and voter information. Both types of observers receive training from their political party. To serve as an election observer/poll watcher, contact a local political party using these links:

Charlottesville Republican Committee: https://www.charlottesvillegop.org/

Charlottesville Democratic Committee: https://cvilledems.org/our-party

Albemarle County Democratic Party Poll Watcher: https://airtable.com/appaOh2h0e52deWdO/shrxU6h7yrG4JXmVj

Albemarle County Republican Party Poll Watcher: https://albemarlegop.org/ .

Fluvanna Democratic Committee: https://fluvannademocrats.org/

Fluvanna Republican Committee: https://www.fluvannarepublicancommittee.com/

Nelson County Democratic Committee: https://www.bluenelson.org/

Nelson County Republican Committee: https://nelsonvagop.com/

Greene County Democratic Committee: https://www.greenedemocrats.org/

Greene County Republican Committee: https://www.keepgreenered.com/