Editor:

The Buckingham County Electoral Board is very grateful that we have organizations and churches in the county that allow us to use their facilities as polling places. Our thanks go out to the Arvonia Fire Department, Centenary United Methodist Church, Buckingham County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Curdsville Community Center, Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, Buckingham County Ag Center/Buckingham Extension Service, Toga Fire Department, Glenmore Fire Department, Taylor Masonic Lodge, Baptist Union Baptist Church and to Buckingham County for the use of their facilities.

We are grateful that these organizations appreciate that elections are one of the vital functions of our democracy.

In the aftermath of the 2016 Presidential Election, the Glenmore Fire Department received a letter expressing disapproval and criticism that campaign signs for a particular presidential candidate were placed in front of the Glenmore Fire House on Election Day.   

The Electoral Board wants to let people know that the political party signs placed at each precinct on Election Day do not represent the organizations that allow us to use their facilities. The Code of Virginia states that it shall be permissible to distribute campaign materials and post signs on Election Day on the property on which a polling place is located as long as these materials are placed at least 40 feet from the entrance of the polling place. 

It is our hope that the public will recognize the contributions that these organizations make to our community and not hold them responsible for campaign materials displayed on their property on Election Day. 

We thank these organizations for their support of the democratic process.

Buckingham County Electoral Board

Larry K. Davis, secretary

W.R. “Rick” Caldwell, chairman

Gail Braxton, vice chair