In accordance with the Code of Virginia § 24.2- 103 (J) the State Board of Elections (SBE), through the Department of Elections (ELECT), is pleased to provide to the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly the State Board of Elections Annual Report. Pursuant to §24.2-103 of the Code of Virginia, the SBE has the authority to oversee and direct the work of county and city electoral boards as well as general registrars in order to obtain uniformity and address major risks to elections. During the 2020 calendar year, the SBE met a total of seventeen times certifying three elections, approving seven regulations, adopting five amendments to existing regulations, assessing and addressing a variety of administrative matters, updating and ensuring election security, and defining penalties for Stand By Your Ad (SBYA) violations.

On March 12, 2020, Governor Ralph S. Northam declared that a state of emergency exists in the Commonwealth as the result of the potential spread of COVID-19, a communicable disease presenting a threat to public health. On March 30, 2020, the Governor issued an executive order requiring all individuals in Virginia to remain at their place of residence, with certain enumerated exceptions. Accordingly, the State Board of Elections held fourteen meetings through electronic communication means pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act § 2.2-3708.2 This is the SBE’s first annual report regarding the Board’s activities, following the passage of Acts of Assembly Chapter 619, during the 2020 Session of the General Assembly. This report details the activities of the SBE and ELECT during the 2020 calendar year.