Arlington Democrats School Board Caucus Voting Opens Today Via Convenient, Secure Online Platform

From the Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC):

Arlington Democrats School Board Caucus Voting Opens Today Via Convenient, Secure Online Platform

Electronic Balloting or In-Person Voting Offered Through May 23

Monday, May 17, 2021, ARLINGTON, Va.—Voting in the Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Democrats) School Board Endorsement Caucus opened at midnight today through a nationally recognized electronic voting platform that will allow Arlingtonians to conveniently, anonymously and securely cast their ballots from mobile devices or computers 24/7 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday (March 23).

Access to the cutting-edge balloting platform developed and administered by Democracy Live, the largest provider of mobile and cloud-based voting technologies in the United States, was made possible through a grant awarded to Arlington Democrats by the nonprofit National Cybersecurity Center (NCC). During the continuing uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, registered voters will have access to a full week—168 hours—of mobile electronic caucus voting. Democracy Live also offers ballots in multiple languages.

A step-by-step video guide for casting caucus electronic ballots is available on the Arlington Democrats YouTube Page.

Arlington Democrats will also offer 32 hours of in-person voting on May 18, 19 and 22, at four locations across the county (details below). Volunteers will be present to provide registered voters with devices and WiFi access to cast their ballots.

“We’re thrilled to provide a mobile, electronic voting platform for the convenience of our voters during this year’s School Board Caucus,” said Alex Zins, Arlington Democrats School Board Caucus Director. “To make sure we provide accessible voting options, volunteers will assist any voter at our designated in-person voting locations.”

The locations, dates, and times for in-person voting are:

Two Candidates to Vie for Endorsement for Open School Board Seat

The caucus will determine who Arlington Democrats will support between two candidates competing in the Nov. 2 general election for the seat now held by School Board Chair Monique O’Grady: Miranda Turner and Mary Kadera. (O’Grady previously was endorsed by Arlington Democrats, but is not seeking re-election.)

Voters may access a video recording of the April 29 debate between Turner and Kadera hosted by Arlington Democrats.

Voter Confidentiality Ensured on Electronic Platform

Democracy Live’s platform allows Arlington Democrats to ensure the integrity of ballots cast, while also separating voters’ personal information and ballots in a way that maintains the confidentiality of votes. Voters’ personal information will be deleted at the end of the caucus, and Democracy Live is prohibited by the terms of its contract with Arlington Democrats from retaining any caucus information or using it for activities beyond what’s legally and logistically required to conduct the election. Learn more about Democracy Live and the National Cybersecurity Center in the March news release issued by Arlington Democrats announcing the grant and advent of electronic caucus voting.

Review the 2021 School Board Caucus Rules for more information, and email sbcaucus@arlingtondemocrats.org with further questions. Use the Virginia Department of Elections Look-Up tool to find your current voter registration information and the address you have on file with the commonwealth.

Electronic Balloting Follows First-Ever Mail-In Caucus Offering Safe Pandemic Voting

After Virginia’s stay-at-home order was issued last spring, Arlington Democrats scrambled to offer an unprecedented mail-in endorsement caucus for two earlier open School Board seats, allowing voters to minimize their exposure to COVID-19. Although there were no other elections on the ballot, voters cast more than 5,700 ballots, which was within 272 votes of the previous county caucus record.

Mail and electronic voting isn’t the only effort Arlington Democrats have made to lessen the pandemic’s burden. The organization also supported county efforts to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to residents, including re-deploying Arlington Democrats’ “Rides to the Polls” operation to provide seniors—regardless of party affiliation—assistance in obtaining COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Arlington Democrats has worked incredibly hard to vet and offer safe options for voting under pandemic conditions,” said Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo. “This step into electronic voting means that we continue to lead our community, now by offering even more Arlingtonians easy, secure access to one of the most important rights we enjoy as Americans.”