USNA69
Regular Member
Legal Possession of Firearms at the Polls
My Norfolk precinct poll is located in the gymnasium of a former elementary school, which, I learned today, is now classified as an “abandoned building”. I was confident that there was no prohibition regarding carrying in a polling place. I had considered OCing to the polls, but decided against it, rather than have a philosophical discussion with a LEO about whether the building is or is not a school.
When I arrived, I saw a long time neighbor and fellow Navy vet, who was again serving as the chief election officer at the poll. I also know that he is pro-2A. We exchanged pleasantries, and I mentioned that I had considered carrying, but chose not to for the reason I mentioned. It was then that he told me that the poll was located in an “abandoned structure.” I replied that I could have OCed, after all. He quickly replied that he had anticipated the possibility of voters carrying, so he had carefully reviewed his written instructions contained in a thick binder.
Here is what he said. If a voter arrived CCing, AND his CHP was clearly visible upon his person, e.g. pinned to his clothing, then there would be no problem. I asked how he would know if a voter were CCing, and he said that, as a pro-2A and carrier himself, he knew where to look and what to look for. He went on to say that OC was expressly prohibited.
I mentioned State preemption and asked who had issued these instructions. He replied that the Electoral Board issued them and he produced the binder, with the applicable page regarding weapons tabbed. It was not clear if these regulations were State of local in origin.
He showed the page to me, and I read it quickly, so I am paraphrasing here, and I hope I have stated it accurately. The policy regarding CC was as described above. It went on to state that OC was prohibited and instructed poll officials to immediately call 9-1-1, if a voter arrived OCing.
Of course, I stated that an Electoral Board was not empowered to issue weapons prohibitions and again referenced State preemption. While he is a knowledgeable gun owner, he did not agree. I expect that he had sworn an oath to uphold the election law and policies contained in the binder.
I have done a quick Internet search for the regulations, but have been unable to find a source or even a mention of carrying firearms while voting. I would expect that the regulations would be a FOIA document and available to the public on request. I will visit the Electoral Board and ask to see the regulations.
Here is the contact information for the Norfolk Electoral Board:
Facility:
ELECTORAL BOARD
Mailing Address:
810 UNION ST
ROOM 808
NORFOLK
VA
23510
Phone:
757-664-4353
Locality Voter Registration Office Contact Information
Facility:
NORFOLK CITY
Registrar:
ELISA J LONG
Mailing Address
CITY HALL ROOM 808
PO BOX 1531
NORFOLK
VA
23501-1531
Physical Address:
810 UNION ST
ROOM 808
NORFOLK
VA
23510
Phone:
757-664-4353
Fax:
757-664-4685
Email:
vote@norfolk.gov
URL:
http://www.norfolk.gov/Elections/
Hours:
Monday thru Friday - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
If the Electoral Board has overstepped its authority, we have two years to correct this problem.
As has been said elsewhere, there is no reason to surrender one right in order to exercise another
My Norfolk precinct poll is located in the gymnasium of a former elementary school, which, I learned today, is now classified as an “abandoned building”. I was confident that there was no prohibition regarding carrying in a polling place. I had considered OCing to the polls, but decided against it, rather than have a philosophical discussion with a LEO about whether the building is or is not a school.
When I arrived, I saw a long time neighbor and fellow Navy vet, who was again serving as the chief election officer at the poll. I also know that he is pro-2A. We exchanged pleasantries, and I mentioned that I had considered carrying, but chose not to for the reason I mentioned. It was then that he told me that the poll was located in an “abandoned structure.” I replied that I could have OCed, after all. He quickly replied that he had anticipated the possibility of voters carrying, so he had carefully reviewed his written instructions contained in a thick binder.
Here is what he said. If a voter arrived CCing, AND his CHP was clearly visible upon his person, e.g. pinned to his clothing, then there would be no problem. I asked how he would know if a voter were CCing, and he said that, as a pro-2A and carrier himself, he knew where to look and what to look for. He went on to say that OC was expressly prohibited.
I mentioned State preemption and asked who had issued these instructions. He replied that the Electoral Board issued them and he produced the binder, with the applicable page regarding weapons tabbed. It was not clear if these regulations were State of local in origin.
He showed the page to me, and I read it quickly, so I am paraphrasing here, and I hope I have stated it accurately. The policy regarding CC was as described above. It went on to state that OC was prohibited and instructed poll officials to immediately call 9-1-1, if a voter arrived OCing.
Of course, I stated that an Electoral Board was not empowered to issue weapons prohibitions and again referenced State preemption. While he is a knowledgeable gun owner, he did not agree. I expect that he had sworn an oath to uphold the election law and policies contained in the binder.
I have done a quick Internet search for the regulations, but have been unable to find a source or even a mention of carrying firearms while voting. I would expect that the regulations would be a FOIA document and available to the public on request. I will visit the Electoral Board and ask to see the regulations.
Here is the contact information for the Norfolk Electoral Board:
Facility:
ELECTORAL BOARD
Mailing Address:
810 UNION ST
ROOM 808
NORFOLK
VA
23510
Phone:
757-664-4353
Locality Voter Registration Office Contact Information
Facility:
NORFOLK CITY
Registrar:
ELISA J LONG
Mailing Address
CITY HALL ROOM 808
PO BOX 1531
NORFOLK
VA
23501-1531
Physical Address:
810 UNION ST
ROOM 808
NORFOLK
VA
23510
Phone:
757-664-4353
Fax:
757-664-4685
Email:
vote@norfolk.gov
URL:
http://www.norfolk.gov/Elections/
Hours:
Monday thru Friday - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
If the Electoral Board has overstepped its authority, we have two years to correct this problem.
As has been said elsewhere, there is no reason to surrender one right in order to exercise another
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