The partial voting records of Reston Association members were released by the group last week in response to a public records request by a member.
The RA says it released information on whether or not each of its 25,700 member households voted in the 2014 Board of Directors election. It also released members’ addresses, but omitted the substance of members’ votes and any other personal information.
The voter records were provided to RA member Irwin Flashman, a six-year resident, on Sept. 29. The RA says it was obligated to release the information under its bylaws and Virginia law.
Flashman said Monday that he wanted the records so he could analyze and try to boost the number of locals who cast their ballots.
“I want to increase voter turnout,” he said. “Something has to be done, and I think before you start doing anything, you need to know what happened.”
Fewer than 15 percent of Reston households cast votes in the March election in which three directors were chosen.
RA President Ken Knueven said the Association’s bylaws and Virginia law on property owners’ associations required the disclosure of the information.
“Under our bylaws and Virginia law, anything on record has to be provided,” Knueven said, adding that he wants Reston residents to know what was released and be comfortable with it.
“I believe voter records are confidential and should remain such,” he said. “We released only information we felt was not confidential.”
Flashman, who received a paper copy of the data, additionally requested an electronic version. The RA is reviewing that request and will discuss it at its full Board meeting Nov. 20.
Reston residents should want to know more about who votes, Flashman said.
“In a democracy, things are done out in the open,” he said. “The fact of voting should be an honor, not something you hide.”
Karen Goff contributed reporting.
The Fairfax County Office of Elections is offering voters a chance to check out new voting machines to replace aging models.
The new machines will offer ease of use as well as accessibility for people with disabilities and for voters for whom English is not their primary language, said electoral board secretary Brian Schoeneman.
Want to go for a test drive? Here are two nearby opportunities on Friday Feb. 21:
- Tysons Corner Center Mall, 2 to 4 p.m., Third floor food court
- Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 6:45 to 8:30 p.m., lobby.
No advance notice or reservations are necessary.
“We have some critical decisions to make this year on purchasing new voting machines for our citizens,” Schoeneman says. “This is a rare opportunity to provide voters with a chance to test drive different voting machines and give input on what voting equipment will provide them with the best and most secure voting experience.”
After long waits in the 2012 Presidential Election, the county assembled a bipartisan Election Process Improvement Commission. The commission issued its report last March, finding fault with aging Direct Electronic Recording Devices (DRE) machines.
The commission recommended that the county go to one system throughout the county, preferably one with electronically scanned ballots with an integrated system fully accessible to voters with disabilities.
