General Registrar
General Registrar

November 2023 Candidates

See The Candidates

March 5, 2024 General Election

Sample Ballots


The General Registrar is appointed by the Sussex Electoral Board for a four year term. The General Registrar does not serve as representative of any political party.

The Office of the General Registrar is currently staffed by one full-time Assistant Registrar.

  • Job Description - Deputy Registrar for Sussex County, Virginia

    • Opening: June 29, 2022
      Deadline: Open Until Filled

    • GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB:

    • The Deputy Registrar must be a qualified voter in the Commonwealth of Virginia and shall be appointed by the General Registrar for a term that coincides with, or is shorter than, the term of the General Registrar, subject to reappointment. The Deputy Registrar performs precise, detailed and moderately technical administrative work and records management assisting the General Registrar in registering voters and conducting elections in accordance with applicable federal and state laws, mandated policies, and established procedures. The Deputy Registrar performs duties in a non-partisan manner that promotes a public image of professionalism in the office and exercises independent judgment, initiative, and attention to detail in completing all responsibilities. The individual works independently with minimal direction and demonstrates considerable knowledge, tact and courtesy in frequent interactions with citizens, state and local officials, and staff members. The position reports directly to the General Registrar. 
    • ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TASKS PERFORMED:

      • Answer telephone, greet visitors, provide assistance and information concerning voter and election issues.
      • Perform clerical tasks, to include typing documents, entering data on computer, copying, faxing, processing mail, filing, preparing voter cards, election materials and reports.
      • Order precinct/office supplies and update supply checklists.
      • Receive, review and process voter registration applications and enter all registration and election data in the Virginia Election Registration Information System (VERIS).
      • Maintain a records catalog and retention system in accordance with the Code of Virginia.
      • Assist with all phases of absentee voting.
      • Assist the Registrar with preparing for the election.
      • Assist with officer of election training.
      • Assist with implementing the Uniformed, Overseas and Military Voting Act.
      • Assist with duties related to Candidates and Campaign Finance filings.
      • On Election Day, field and troubleshoot calls from voters and precinct officials to ensure Election Day goes efficiently.
        At the specific request of the Registrar, may act on behalf of the Registrar in his/her absence.
      • Perform other duties as assigned by General Registrar.

    • REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

      • Speak with poise and confidence, articulate information to others, and maintain a pleasant professional, non-partisan, public image.
      • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
      • Possess general knowledge of office practices and procedures, organization and function of Department.
      • Possess competent knowledge of personal computers and commonly used Microsoft Office software products to include Outlook, Word, Excel, specialized programs and the internet, and the ability to type 50 words per minute.
      • Prepare correspondence, reports, budgets, letters, memos, reports, spreadsheets, agendas, etc., with proper formatting, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
      • Interpret policy and procedural guidelines and to resolve problems and questions.
      • Possess or acquire general knowledge of the Virginia Election Laws, legislation and processes.
      • Exhibit consistent attendance and punctuality.
      • Possess at minimum a high school degree and equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
      • Must be willing to attend classes, trainings, and seminars at the discretion of the General Registrar.
      • Occasional overnight travel may be required.
      • Shall not be the spouse of an Electoral Board member or the Registrar.
      • Shall not hold any other elected or appointed office.
      • Must be available some nights and weekends, particularly during election periods.
      • Must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license. 

    • PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

    • This is mostly sedentary work in an office environment, but also involves walking or standing for periods of time. Some moderately heavy lifting of boxes and voting machines between 20-40 pounds is required. Must possess minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination and the ability to talk and hear in order to follow oral instructions and to be able to convey information to others.

    • The County of Sussex is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
      EOE / ADA / Drug Free Workplace

Areas of responsibility of the General Registrar include:

  • Register voters.
  • Ongoing maintenance of both electronic and manual voter files.
  • Provide accurate up-to-date lists of voters to each of the polling stations in Sussex County.
  • On election days accepting, recording and storing candidate filing forms and Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reports certifying names of petition signers for candidates and issues to be placed on the ballot.
  • Maintaining and updating a file of all roads within Sussex County.
  • Researching and providing all data required pertaining to redistricting and preparing for elections as directed by the Sussex County Electoral Board.

If you are an absent military or overseas citizen eligible to vote in state and local elections, you may register to vote and request a regular absentee ballot for upcoming elections by using the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). You can electronically apply for ballots by submitting your FPCA by fax to 434-246-4315 or scanned email attachment to smessier@sussexcountyva.gov. Detailed instructions are provided in the Virginia Voting Assistance Guide.

If you have a Virginia DMV issued driver license or identification card, you can also register to vote or renew your voter registration online using the Department of Elections Voter Registration Portal. Please note if you use the portal you must also submit separately a new FPCA to receive ballots for future elections through the end of the next calendar year; you can also submit a Virginia absentee ballot application for a specific election once scheduled.

If you do not receive your state ballot in time, you may vote using a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). This notice enables you to identify all of the federal, state, local offices and, if applicable, ballot measures this city/county expects, as of this date, to be on the ballot. (See the Virginia Department of Elections website, Ballot Information). Virginia law requires an Election Notice for UOCAVA voters not later than 100 days before a regularly scheduled election that permits absentee voting, and as soon as practicable in the case of a Special Election held at a time other than a regularly scheduled Special Election. As soon as ballot styles are approved, the Department of Elections will update its website with the certified candidates for each office and ballot measures that will be on the ballot. For most elections, ballots will be sent at least 46 days before the election to voters that have requested them; ballots for special scheduled after the deadline not involving a federal office will be sent as soon as possible. You may request an updated Election Notice be sent to you. 

Using a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot

This notice may be used to vote a federal write-in absentee ballot (FWAB). Before using a FWAB, you must first request a regular absentee ballot by using the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). You can electronically apply for ballots by submitting your FPCA by fax to 434-246-4315 or scanned email attachment to smessier@sussexcountyva.govDetailed instructions are provided in the Virginia Voting Assistance Guide.

Covered military and overseas voters who have not timely received a regular absentee ballot may use the FWAB to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and vote an official military-overseas ballot. Your signed and completed FWAB must be received no later than the close of polls on Election Day. If received later than this day and time, your FWAB ballot normally will not be counted. Federal write-in absentee ballots are available at WWW.FVAP.GOV. A FWAB ballot or a regular ballot can only be returned by mail addressed to the voting official for your city or county of voting residence. Virginia does not allow return of any voted ballot electronically, by email or fax.

Marking a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot

When marking a FWAB, for each office for which you wish to vote, write in either a candidate's name or political party designation. For ballot measures or referenda, write either "YES" (you are for the ballot measure or referendum) or "NO" (you are against the ballot measure or referendum). If you indicated you wish to participate in a party primary, you may only vote for the candidates of the party you indicated. Please contact your local election official to confirm your absentee or voter registration status. You may also visit the Department of Elections website to check your Voter Registration and Absentee Voting status from the home page: http://www.elections.virginia.gov

Please check the website for the Department of Elections www.elections.virginia.gov for additional information on military-overseas absentee voting.

If you need any assistance, please call the General Registrar’s Office at 434-246-1047.

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Job Description

 

Deputy Registrar for Sussex County, Virginia

General Registrar
(434) 246-1045
Chief Deputy Registrar
(434) 246-1046
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