Voter Protection Committee
What does the Voter Protection Committee do?
We protect the right to vote of all eligible voters.
We promote voter education, correct misconceptions about voter fraud, and work to ensure the security and reliability of Loudoun County’s election procedures.
We support legislation to expand voting access and protect election integrity.
Our volunteers act as inside poll observers, staff the Virginia Voter Hotline, assist voters to cure mail-in ballots, and communicate with the local Electoral Board and Registrar’s Office on a regular basis.
You can find information on how to vote in Loudoun County here.
Check this page regularly for updates on the issues and activities of the LCDC Voter Protection Committee.
In May of 2022, the Committee and LCDC volunteers forcefully defended the Office of Elections against the disruptive tactics of Loudoun’s Stop the Steal proponents, who were calling for a replay of Maricopa County’s (AZ) ill-fated “forensic audit.”
Our continuing presence as representatives of the Democratic Party enables us to convey these key messages to voters: that the votes of every eligible voter must be counted, that every process is conducted with integrity, and that our elections are secure and the results are reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join the LCDC Voter Protection Committee?
All LCDC members are eligible and encouraged to join the Voter Protection Committee. Just email voterprotection@loudoundemocrats.org and request to join. We hold monthly meetings to set priorities, decide on projects, and stay informed of ongoing legal and policy issues in this fast-moving space.
Do I need to join the Committee to work on voter protection with LCDC?
No. You will be “in the loop” and participate in decision-making if you’re on the Committee, but anyone can volunteer to assist with our voter protection efforts.
What will I do as a Voter Protection volunteer?
Members of the Voter Protection Committee and volunteers perform a variety of roles to protect voting rights, promote voter education, and safeguard the integrity of elections. The most critical role is to act as an “inside” poll observer during Early Voting and on Election Day, but there are many ways to get involved – and not just during election season.
How does our Committee interact with the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA)?
The DPVA’s Voter Protection Team is a highly organized operation that has served for years as the state-wide coordinator of volunteer training and assignments, providing detailed practical information about election law and policy. DPVA deploys legal resources (i.e., attorneys “on call”) to step in when necessary to address problems that can’t be resolved through our interactions with local officials. LCDC works closely with DPVA’s
Voter Protection Team and relies on their expertise to provide accurate information to voters and voter protection volunteers.
Do I need any special skills to join Voter Protection?
No. In the past, the DPVA primarily recruited attorneys to act as inside poll observers,but anyone willing to become familiar with voter registration, early voting, election day and post-election day procedures will find a role that’s both personally rewarding and vital to assisting Virginia voters.
What will I do as an “inside” poll observer?
Inside poll observers act as the Democratic campaigns’ eyes and ears inside polling places. You will serve as a resource to both election officers and voters, by talking with the Chief and Assistant Chief, listening to interactions between voters and election officers, seeing that issues are resolved correctly, and reporting incidents – especially those that may be relevant to potential litigation.
How do I become an inside observer?
To be an inside observer, you must be a qualified Virginia voter, undertake virtual or in-person training (generally conducted by DPVA), be familiar with the What Ifs: A Complete Guide for Helping Voters with Exceptional Situations (a plain language text issued by the Virginia Department of Elections describing how specific voting issues are resolved), know how to report issues using an online reporting tool known as LBJ (“Lawyers Bound for Justice”) and – most importantly – be a friendly and diplomatic presence inside the polling place.
You must receive and bring with you to the polling place an authorization form signed by the Chair of the DPVA or your local Democratic Party Chair. It will be presented to the Chief Election Officer and, once accepted, you will be considered an “authorized representative” under the Virginia Code.
Can I act as an “outside” poll observer?
Yes, and the process is simpler than credentialing an inside observer. You are considered a “campaigner” under the Virginia Code and thus cannot be within the 40-foot “restricted area” from the entrance to the polling place. However, you are free to talk with voters, hand out campaign literature and sample ballots, and respond to any questions voters may have, either when entering or exiting the polling place. You will coordinate closely with the inside observer and report any issues to the inside observer or directly to DPVA using the LBJ tool.
Outside observers are in the best position to observe and report on incidents of voter intimidation, unacceptably long lines to vote, parking problems, curbside voting issues, and anything occurring outside the polling place that hinders the voting process.
What will I do as a Virginia Voter Hotline operator?
After attending training, you will work from home answering calls from voters that come in through the DPVA’s Virginia Voter Hotline: 844-VA-VOTE (844-482-8683). Common questions include voting hours and locations, acceptable forms of voter ID, voter registration status, procedures for absentee and early voting (by mail or in person), deadlines and methods of returning vote by mail ballots, and what to do if the voter was turned away from the polling place or voted by provisional ballot.
What will I do as a phone banking volunteer?
Like the Virginia Voter Hotline, phone banking is organized and run by the DPVA. Phone banking volunteers perform two important functions: recruiting volunteers to act as inside or outside poll observers, and helping early voters “cure” problems with their ballot submissions. When voters fill out absentee ballots, they sometimes omit or misstate necessary information, and the Office of Elections notifies voters and gives them the opportunity to supply or correct that information. The cure phone bank reaches out to these voters to confirm that they’ve taken the steps needed to get their absentee ballot counted.
What happens after Election Day, and how do volunteers continue to participate?
The Office of Elections and Electoral Board conduct certain processes after Election Day, including the Canvass and the Provisional Ballot Meeting, at which representatives of the political parties are permitted to be present as observers.