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May 25, 2021 <br /> <br /> <br /> However, the revision of precinct lines must be based on 2020 Census data. <br /> <br /> The provision of 2020 Census data by the federal government to states and <br />localities has been delayed. <br /> <br /> Because of the delay, it is not possible to revise precinct lines in time for the <br />November 2021 election process. <br /> <br /> Therefore, the Virginia Department of Elections has indicated that it will grant <br />waivers to localities that are not able to eliminate split precincts because of the delay in <br />receiving Census data. <br /> <br /> To request a waiver from the Department of Elections, City Council must authorize <br />the waiver request. That is the purpose of the Resolution presented for Council <br />consideration. <br /> <br /> This issue is not unique to Portsmouth and it is staff’s understanding that virtually <br />all localities in Virginia with split precincts will be submitting waiver requests to DOE. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> <br /> None <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the resolution <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> A waiver request will be submitted to the Department of Elections <br /> <br />Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Mr. Barnes, to adopt the following <br />resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“RESOLUTION TO REQUEST A WAIVER FROM THE STATE BOARD OF <br />ELECTIONS TO ALLOW FOR THE CONTINUED ADMINISTRATION OF EXISTING <br />SPLIT PRECINCTS FOR ANY ELECTION HELD IN 2021. <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br /> , Section 24.2-307 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended (the <br />“Virginia Code”) mandates that “\[e\]ach precinct shall be wholly contained within a single <br />congressional district, senate District, \[and\] House of Delegates district…”; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> the City of Portsmouth has two split precincts, Precinct 35 <br />(Churchland Elementary School) (which contains voters for both House of Delegate <br />District 79 and House of Delegate District 80) and Precinct 38 (Grove Baptist Church) <br />(which contains voters for both State Senate District 2 and State Senate District 18); and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> the Virginia Code requires that all split precincts be eliminated by June <br />15, 2021; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> because of delays at the federal level, the City of Portsmouth has not <br />yet received 2020 Census data; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> precinct boundaries cannot be revised to eliminate the split precincts <br />until the Census data is received; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> Section 24.2-307 of the Virginia Code authorizes the City to apply for <br />a waiver from the Virginia State Board of Elections to continue to administer the split <br />precincts for any election held in 2021; <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED <br /> by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, <br />Virginia, that the Portsmouth General Registrar and Director of Elections is authorized to <br />submit a request for a waiver from the State Board of Elections pursuant to Section 24.2- <br />307 of the Virginia Code to administer Precinct 35 (Churchland Elementary School) and <br /> <br />Precinct 38 (Grove Baptist Church) as split precincts for any election held in 2021.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Barnes, Battle, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Whitaker, Woodard, Glover <br />Nays: None <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />