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

This "off year" election voters will decide on abortion in governor's races

On Election Day, News Leader reporters are out and about talking to voters and election officials throughout the day.

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 Campbell, for sure.”

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 mahcines are ward specific, so we just had to get the correct voting machine to the correct precint. ... 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 Linhoff, 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," Linoff 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, Linoff turned her attention back to the voters.

"I wouldn't expect the hugest turnout this year," Linhoff 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, Linhoff’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