Election day 2023 blog: Live updates from Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro

On Election Day, News Leader reporters are out and about talking to voters and election officials throughout the day. Thanks to voters and poll workers who have been taking the time to speak to us.

7:15 p.m. Voters have the last word.

6:45 p.m. — Staunton Ward 4 — Staunton Seventh Day Adventist Church — 'I chose to work the elections'

Taking place at the Staunton Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ward 4 had several locals coming in to vote when the News Leader arrived.

"It has been steady all day long," said Ward 4 Election Chief Margie Scott. "That's made the day go by quickly. As of 4:18 [p.m.], we've had 692 people [voting in] Ward 4."

Scott has worked elections since 2016, when she signed up to get involved "in a nonbiased appraoch to voting.

“I didn't want to be either party, so I chose to work the elections,” Scott said.

Since then, there have been some updates to the way elections run.

"Some of the technology has changed," Scott explained. "We have electronic poll books and they gradually change with a tweak here and a tweak there. The poll machine has generally been the same since I started working elections. It's been rewarding to see people understand how to use it and not be scared of it."

Although other precints had issues with ballot scanners going to the wrong location, Scott explained that Ward 4 had a different technical problem altogether.

"We got a little bit of a late start today, which was unusual. I apologized to the people that were waiting. We got everything up and running and once we did that, it's been a good day. We had a number of technical problems that were unexpected. The scanners worked but we couldn't get the poll books to work with the USB port. It all has to work together."

When local Democratic Party volunteer Jennifer Trippeer was asked if anything of note or fun had happened outside the polls, she told The News Leader, "Not really, I wish I had something to tell you.”

Instead of eventful, Trippeer stated she had a number of people to speak to on their way in.

"People are very passionate about City Council, I think that's what's bringing people out," Trippeer said. "That and the state senate. We want to keep it Democratic, otherwise abortion will become a bigger issue. I think those are the things that are driving people out here."

Like many of her fellow local election chiefs, Scott encouraged Staunton residents to come out and make their voices heard.

"It's been fun, it's been a good day, and I'm glad people have turned out," Scott said. "We are at 715 [ballots] at 4:30 [p.m.]"

6:20 p.m. — Augusta County, Fishersville precinct — Wilson Elementary School

FISHERSVILLE — Scott Seaton arrived at Wilson Elementary School Tuesday morning around 5:30. Nearly 12 hours later he was still there, talking to voters, trying to convince them that he should have another term on the Augusta County Board of Supervisors.

"My job is unfinished," Seaton said. "If I leave, what is the use of my four years?"

Transparency and fiscal responsibility are two of the big topics he wants to focus on if he wins another term. He's running against John Higgs in the Wayne District.

Meanwhile, Mykell Alleman is running for the Wayne District seat on the Augusta County School Board. She is a believer that parents need more rights, but with those rights she's said they have responsibilities. The attorney is challenging incumbent Tim Swortzel.

Seaton and Alleman have been campaigning together a lot this fall. They showed up at Wilson wearing matching red shirts that had "Scott Seaton Republican for Supervisor" in small white letters on the upper left part of the shirt. They both wore stickers saying "Mykell Alleman for Wayne District School Board. Endorsed by the Augusta County Republican Party."

It was that last part, the endorsement, that doesn't quite sit right with Swortzel, himself a Republican. School Board members are required to run as independents, although they can be endorsed.

"When you get endorsed by the Republican party and they have that big, huge group, it's kind of hard to combat some of that," Swortzel said. "I roll in and it's just you and me and they have four, five and six (people campaigning) and they just kind of jump on people."

Swortzel doesn't approve of those tactics, saying he simply introduces himself to voters, asks for their vote and lets them go on their way. He doesn't think his opponent for school board does the same.

"It is what it is," said Swortzel, who still said he felt positive he could win.

4:15 p.m. — Staunton Ward 1 — Third Presbyterian Church

At Ward 1 at the Third Presbyterian Church on Bartebrook Road in Staunton, voters continued to flow through the parking lot Tuesday afternoon on their way to the polls.

While there was no pressing issue or a specific candidate that prompted their visit to the polls, Allison McDonald and Riley Millward, both 25 and former Harrisonburg residents who moved to Staunton last summer, said they typically try to vote every election.

“I just think it’s important to get out there and do your civic duty,” McDonald said. “Just because it’s true — I feel that every vote does count.”

Millward said that although this is an off-year election “this is the one that directly impacts us. That’s why I’m here, I wanted to be part of the process.”

4:00 p.m. — Staunton Ward 2 — Christ United Methodist Church — 'Puppies!'

At the Christ United Methodist Church, Ward 2 supassed 600 in-person votes just before 3:00 p.m.

"It's been pretty easy, pretty steady," said Jody Barb, Ward 2 Election Chief. "Everything is going smoothly."

Lisa Hatter, a volunteer for District 3 Senate candidate Christoper Head, R, and District 36 Delegate candidate Ellen H. Campbell, R, sat closest to the church entrance.

"There's a lot of people that I know who have come through," said Hatter. "A lot of people have had questions - I just answer their questions. ... I think it's really important to research the candidates and to come out and let your voice be heard. We should all do that, regardless of what our viewpoint is."

When asked if there have been any stand out moments through the day, Hatter didn't hesitate.

"There were some puppies! That's been the highlight. There were a couple of people who had puppies, it's been fun."

"Everybody seems happy. It's a wonderful day. It's not raining or freezing, and that always helps."

The opinion on the weather seems to be one opinion everyone could agree on.

"We're not out here freezing our butts off or getting rained on," said volunteer Vanessa Brown with a smile.

Brown and Rebeccah Miller were volunteering for the Stauton Visioning Collition, handing out sample ballots, and advocating for Staunton City Council candidate Adam Campbell.

According to the group's Facebook page, the "Staunton Visioning Coalition was formed in the fall of 2021 to begin a community conversation in Staunton to discuss what issues are important to citizens and connect with local candidates for elected office. ... We support candidates who believe in equity, sustainability, good governance and improving Staunton for all residents. Our goal continues to be supporting candidates who have the best interests of the entire Staunton community in mind. Staunton Visioning Coalition is not affiliated with any political party."

This is not the first time the Staunton Visioning Coalition has worked alongside Campbell. According to the Augusta Free Press, the Staunton Visioning Coalition hosted a meet and greet with Campbell in August.

"[We focus] on the town, the people, and what the voice of the town is, as opposed to it being political," explained Brown. "I'm relatively new to being involved with the group, but I like what their vision is as far as what they support. [This includes] recognizing the diversity of the community, the importance of equity in our community, supporting everything from Pride to Uniontown."

"We like that he is a person that talks and listens to people, as opposed to just saying 'this is what you should believe and think,'" explained Miller. "I'd like to see the city and all of our political people working together."

Around 4 p.m. Staunton City Council candidate Wilson Fauber stood outside of the Ward 2 polls. Speaking with the News Leader, he noted his day was going well, that folks had been thanking him for running, and that the scanning machine issues from early that morning had been resolved.

3:30 p.m. — Voter talk!

More voters talk about what brought them to the polls.

—Lyra Bordelon

3:15 p.m. Staunton Ward 3 — Gypsy Hill Park gymnasium

As of 3:15 p.m. 621 people voted (2 provisional) at Staunton Ward 3 in Gypsy Hill Park.

Officer of Elections volunteer David Klinger said it’s been a steady flow of people with only a couple 5- or 10-minute lulls today at the gymnasium that serves as Ward 3.

This is Klinger’s first time volunteering in Virginia. The experience has been very good, he said.

“Of course we’ve had good weather, and people have been very positive," said Klinger. "You know, it’s an off year election and it’s a very small ballot yet the turnout has been quite good.”

“People have been very good to work with and everybody here, all the voters, have been exceptional.”

—Monique Calello

3 p.m. Staunton Ward 5 — Memorial Baptist Church

A little after 3 p.m. voter number 609, Dennis Ward, walked out of Memorial Baptist Church at Staunton Ward 5. Ward has lived in Staunton on and off since the 1970s and said the issue he cares about the most is Staunton City Council.

“I want to make sure that Wilson Fauber doesn’t get elected,” said Ward. “He doesn’t have the same kind of values and the same kind of interests that I have.”

Ward said he was “astonished and turned off” that Fauber was unwilling to participate in any of the town halls.

“It seems as though he had something to hide or something that he was afraid of in terms of being confronted.”

—Monique Calello

3 p.m. — Voter turnout

STAUNTON — Staunton General Registrar Christi Linhoss provided voter turnout as of 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. She was still working to get Ward 4 at the time she emailed The News Leader.

The numbers are by ward with today's voter turnout.

• Ward 1            474

• Ward 2            562

• Ward 3            551

• Ward 4 580

• Ward 5            524

Counting early voting, here are the percentages of registered voters who've showed up so far:

Ward 1 18.8%Ward 2 20.1%Ward 3 28%Ward 4 32.9%Ward 5 31.2%

In Waynesboro, total voter turnout on Tuesday was 1,939 out of 15,696 total registered voters as of 2 p.m. Augusta County doesn't have precincts call them with turnout throughout the day so no numbers were available.

— Patrick Hite

1:30 p.m. — Waynesboro Ward A — Wenonah Elementary School

WAYNESBORO — A Waynesboro resident notified The News Leader that she had shown up at the wrong voting precinct Tuesday and when election officials printed her off a new address, it was wrong also.

Waynesboro's registrar's office admitted it was an error on their part, but said it was a one-time mistake and no one else received the wrong information.

Susan Campbell Echols said she went to what she thought was her previous polling place at the Waynesboro Public Library only to be told she was supposed to vote in Ward A. The library is Ward B.

Echols received a printout with what was supposed to be the correct address, only it wasn't. The address she was given was 125 N. Winchester Ave. which she said was a house.

"Upon going to the address I found it was a private home," Echols wrote. "I went to three churches in that area - no voting site anywhere."

Debbie Wilson, Waynesboro's assistant registrar, said a button was pushed on the poll pad and printed out the old address for the former Ward A precinct. The poll worker wasn't supposed to hit that button and as soon as they did they contacted the Waynesboro registrar's office who told them not to do it again. Normally the poll worker just tells the voter directions to the correct precinct.

"They shouldn't have printed that paper," Wilson said. "I didn't even know they had that option."

Wilson said no other person received an incorrect address. Her guess is that Echols voted at the library last year as an early voter. All early voting is done at the library, which then serves as the Ward B precinct on Election Day.

Echols eventually found her correct polling place at Wenonah Elementary and was able to vote. Echols said she just wanted to make others aware of the mistake in case they receive a printout of a precinct's address.

— Patrick Hite

12 p.m. — Staunton Ward 2 — Christ United Methodist Church

At Ward 2, located at the Christ United Methodist Church in Staunton, as of 12 p.m. a total of 424 people had voted. The ward has 4,384 registered voters.

One of those voters was Joanna Vernon, 62, who says she is a regular voter. “Just because I think it’s really important. I think that we have to kind of battle the extremes, right? There’s lots of sneakiness happening,” Vernon said in reference to a recent report where more than 3,000 eligible voters were improperly removed from the state’s roles by election officials. “I just feel like the extreme right is being very sneaky about what they’re trying to do in different places and I want my voice to be heard.”

—Brad Zinn

12:00 p.m. — Staunton Ward 1 — Third Presbyterian Church — Blowin' in the wind

Signs run along the drive up to Third Presbyterian Church, the voting site for Ward 1.

A station for City Council candidate Adam Campbell sits outside the church. There, a smiling Katie Campbell greeted folks entering the polls. Campbell had a main candidate to endorse.

“I might be a little biased, I'm married to Adam Campbell,” Campbell joked. “Both [Adam's brother and father] have moved here because we are here now. We love Staunton so much. … It's been great. We've gotten a lot of supporters behind us, and volunteers. We really couldn't do this without all of the love and support we've received from our community, our family, and our friends. It's just looking very positive – we're very excited.”

Staunton Registrar Christi Linhoss previously reported 1,940 early voters for this election. Although that's down from the 2,526 early voters a year before, the volunteers for both elections and campaigns felt this was a good turnout.

“I think, with the early voting starting, you're going to find that a lot of folks have already voted, so it might show less in the polls,” said Patsy Alexander, a volunteer with the Staunton Democratic Party. “I strongly believe that [about early voting] -”

A gust of wind blew across Campbell's table sending fliers, door knob hangers, and sample ballots flying through the air, scattering across the grass.

Campbell's volunteers and James Fauber, brother of City Council candidate Wilson Fauber, gathered the scattered papers. Fauber politely declined an interview with the News Leader.

“That was a moment of excitement,” Campbell said, putting down the fliers.

Campbell also encouraged everyone to come out to vote while the polls are open.

“Just come out and vote. That's the most important part of our election, to have that voice to use right? That's why we're out here today – we brought our kids out to the polling locales so they can see our democracy at work.”

Inside, chief voting volunteer Charles Heffer let another volunteer take over his position while he spoke with the News Leader.

“It's been a steady flow [of voters],” Heffer. “We didn't know what to expect [with this] just being a local election. Usually you expect slow, but it's been steady.”

When asked for a count, Heffer pointed to the ballot scanner near the exit. At about 10:20 a.m., the screen read “250.”

“That's what we're at now,” Heffer said. “If you would have asked me this morning at [5:00 a.m.], I would have told you that was our total for the day. … It's nice to see because this is just a small Virginia election. This turnout is almost like it's a senator or governor election. It's nice to see that people are engaged and coming out for something like this.  Somebody got their message out and the voters are coming out. That's good to see.”

“I've been doing this since 2018,” Heffer said. “[At first], I was just a worker and after, I think, a year they made me chief. Now I've been chief [in this ward] for two years. It means I get to fill out all the paperwork.”

He also celebrated the volunteers working beside him.

“Usually we work with five people, but we've had enough people volunteer that each ward has six people. It's younger people too. There's a lot of young people volunteering, so that's good to see too.”

By 11:00 a.m., Katie Campbell left and was replaced by Adam Campbell himself. Campbell stood tall, watching the parking lot for any approaching voters.

“I feel good. I was very happy with how my campaign went - I wouldn’t change a thing. Now it’s out of my hands,” said Campbell with a laugh.

His day started early with polling location visits.

“This is the third ward I’ve visited so far this morning,” Campbell said. “I was in Ward 2 to start the day at 6 a.m. Then I went over to Ward 4 at 9 a.m. Now I’m here. I’m going to go to Ward 5 next, then hit up Ward 3, and finish up back here at the end of the day.”

When asked if he had an Election Day message to voters, Campbell said, “One of the big things I’m running on is improving communications between the city and our citizens and looking for more opportunities for public participation. I’ll always be approachable. I want people to come to me with ideas and concerns.”

He continued handing out sample ballots as the time passed.

“I love Staunton,” Campbell said. “I want to do my part to make it a better place to live for everyone in our community. I truly mean that.”

—Lyra Bordelon

10:30 a.m. — Augusta County, Fishersville precinct — Wilson Elementary School

FISHERSVILE — Victor Ludlum walked out of Wilson Elementary School Tuesday around 10:30 a.m. to check the number of handicap parking spots. It was just one of his many duties on Election Day as the vice chairperson of the Augusta County Electoral Board.

Ludlum has served on the board for 18 months. On Tuesday, he was traveling to multiple precincts where he checks to make sure there are no issues with volunteers or voting machines or any number of other things that could go haywire on Election Day.

Ludlum said the biggest need for the Electoral Board to make sure elections in Augusta County continue to go smoothly is more volunteers. There are various jobs volunteers can do, from helping people put their ballots in the voting machine to answering questions and directing people to the check-in table when they enter the building to checking in voters and handing them ballots.

Ludlum is a Republican, one of the two on the electoral board. He explained that number depends on the party of the governor. When Ralph Northam was governor, two Democrats and one Republican served. Now, with Glenn Youngkin as governor, those party affiliations on the board have flipped.

Ludlum said the board needs more Democrats volunteering overall, something the board has struggled to find in a heavily Republican county. While there were four volunteers at Wilson Elementary who were Democrats, Ludlum said there are three or four precincts in the county with none.

“We need Democrats to balance it up,” Ludlum said. “We still go ahead and do the job.”

There’s a simple form to feel out — they were available on a table at the voting entrance to Wilson Elementary — but those interested can also contact the registrar’s office in Verona. Those interested can fill out the form with their name, address, voting precinct and party affiliation. They are also asked if they would agree to represent either party if needed.

Ludlum also said they need volunteers to help return voting equipment once polls close at the end of Election Day. He said high school students would make a perfect fit for that job. Ludlum would like to talk to some civics teachers in Augusta County about encouraging their students to volunteer on Election Day.

— Patrick Hite

10:15 a.m. — Staunton Ward 3 — Voters share their thoughts.

9:00 a.m. — Staunton Ward 5 — Memorial Baptist Church, 224 Taylor Street.

Volunteer greeters stand outside Ward 5 at Memorial Baptist Church on 224 Taylor St. to help voters find the correct entrance, give them a sample ballot if they ask for it, and thank them for turning out.

As of 9 a.m., 163 people voted at Staunton Ward 5.

Mary Robinson and Nina Gagnon, both 28, were at Ward 5 Tuesday morning in Staunton around 9 a.m. “We always come out to vote,” Robinson said. “We feel like it’s really kind of an intense year politically and it feels good to do a little tiny something just coming out to vote.”

“We think it’s important to get out and vote, especially in an election where a lot’s on the line, both locally and sort of on a state-wide level. We love Staunton and want to make sure it’s going in the right direction,” added Gagnon, who quickly clarified her use of the word “right” in her response. “Vote (Adam) Campbell, for sure.”

—Monique Calello and Brad Zinn

8:30 a.m. — Staunton Ward 3 — Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium. All scanners working in Staunton.

Despite an early morning issue, the ballot scanners are up and running for elections in Staunton.

Ballot scanners in some locations were not working when voting began. Christi Linhoss, registrar for the City of Staunton, found herself traveling to polling locations to trouble shoot the issue.

"When the machines were delivered, they were not delivered to the correct precints," said Linhoff. "The ballots are ward specific and the machines are ward specific, so we just had to get the correct voting machine to the correct precinct. ... It will not affect the votes. The votes at the beginning of the day up until about 7:00 a.m., when all the machines were correctly delivered, were put into the secure ballot bin in the back of the machine."

David Klinger, a poll volunteer at Gyspy Hill Park Gynasium, assured the first 29 voters that their ballots would be counted.

By the time the News Leader spoke with Linhoss, those ballots had already been counted.

“We invited representatives from the campaigns that were out here and had multiple poll workers and electoral board observe as we put them through,” Jason Hochstetler said.

"Unfortunately people think poorly when a machine doesn't work, but like all other things, you have so many different variables," Linhoss said. "At least we know the machines are secure — they're not going to take a ballot that doesn't belong there. We definitely know that now. We were able to sort it all out before 7 a.m. and hopefully from this point forward, we can go with smooth sailing."

Now back on track, Linhoss turned her attention back to the voters.

"I wouldn't expect the hugest turnout this year," Linhoss said. "We're never going to get to 100 percent [turnout], but judging from past [elections], I would probably say we'll be about 40 to 50 percent, hopefully."

When asked how she felt about the day, Linhoss’s voice filled with enthusiasm.

"Great! Unfortunately election day always has it's moment and this was ours this year. We have everything back up and running. We expect a smooth day from here forward."

—Lyra Bordelon

7:30 a.m. — Augusta County, Fort Defiance and Rolla precincts — Clymore Elementary

FORT DEFIANCE — Allison Griffin stood outside of Clymore Elementary School, handing out sample Republican ballots as voters approached her on the sidewalk. Some happily took the ballot, others said no and looked away quickly. Some just avoided walking past Griffin altogether, taking a longer path to avoid interacting with anyone so early in the morning.

Allison has worked on campaigns before when she lived in Texas, but this one is special for Allison. Her mother-in-law, Sharon Griffin, is running for school board in the North River District.

“We’re just really proud of her,” Griffin said. “It feels like she has a lot more life and just excitement and energy. She has purpose and we’re really excited.”

Sharon Griffin is challenging 24-year school board veteran Nick Collins. This is the first challenger in seven races for Collins, the school board chair. It's one of the crucial votes to watch on Tuesday.

Allison Griffin was at the Fort Defiance precinct. Not too far away from her was Peter Griffin, her husband and Sharon’s son, in front of the Rolla precinct. Both precincts are in Clymore, one entrance — Rolla — in front of the school and the other just to the left side of the building.

“I would say she has more vitality and more life than I’ve seen from her since I can remember,” Peter said of his mom, who was retired before deciding to challenge Collins.

The husband-and-wife duo helping out Sharon Griffin flew in late last week from Florida to help out. Peter admitted he had to search for a coat for the Virginia November weather, but it wasn’t too bad for Peter, who lived in New York for a decade.

While no voters wanted to give their name, two said that no one issue drove them out to the polls Tuesday morning. “It’s Election Day. This is what you do,” one said.

Another voter did have an answer for why she was voting.

“Schools, all the woke stuff,” she said. “I don’t want any more of that. Over that.”

By 6:45 a.m the Rolla had 24 people cast votes. About 25 minutes later at Fort Defiance there had been 34 votes.

—Patrick Hite

7:00 a.m. — Staunton Ward 3 — Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium

Poll Volunteer David Klinger thanked a voter as they were leaving.

“Thank you sir, did you get it accomplished?” asked Klinger.

“Yeah I hope it counts,” the voter responded.

“Oh it will, we’ll make it count.”

“The scanners aren’t working,” he explained.

“It’s secure. We’ll make sure it gets counted, sir.” He turned to the News Leader’s reporter. “I better go check that.”

The volunteers directed the News Leader to get a statement from the registrar. The News Leader will have more as statements come in.

Outside, Staunton City Council Candidate Wilson Fauber spoke to the News Leader.

“I feel terrific,” Fauber said. “I think it’s going to be a great day. I’m looking forward to it and I think I’m going to win.”

His attention changed soon after when he got a phone call.

“At least several of the precincts have the wrong voting machines,” he claimed. “Have you heard that?” Fauber asked to the passing volunteers.

“The scanners are not working on this machine. We’re attempting to find out the problem,” Klinger explained. “Instead of going into the scanner, they're going into a locked box. At a later point today, those manual ballots will be fed into the scanner. We just had a momentary problem where the scanner wasn't working. It was a simple fix. I just wanted to assure people those votes are going to be counted."

Hochstetler then explained that campaigners had to stay away from the entrance, but not the entrance ramp.

“My understanding is that it’s always been 40 feet from the door … but I’m not going to ask you to move at this point,” Hochstetler told Fauber.

—Lyra Bordelon

6:07 a.m. — Staunton Ward 3 — Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium

“The polls are open,” announced volunteer Jason Hochstetler as he opened the doors to Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium at 6:00 am.

The first five voters walked in, with one commenting that he had seven hours to drive after making his voice heard.

Outside, Adam Campell’s brother and father, Clay and Mike Campbell respectively, are setting up a campaign tent.

“It’s a beautiful day. I hope a lot of people come out to express their views,” said Mike.

The weather forecast calls for partly cloudy to sunny conditions throughout the day, with a high around 72. Not a bad day to cast your ballot.

Be sure to check out our Election HQ to brush up on the races and candidates if you want to know more before you vote.

—Jeff Schwaner and Lyra Bordelon

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Election Day Blog: What we're seeing at the polls in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County