As the deadline for official ballots draws near, election offices are faced with uncertainty

Henry County, Virginia – Residents are startled by President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential campaign, and local registrars’ offices are unclear of what to do next.

“I honestly didn’t believe it because you came this far, why give up now?” said Andre Adams, Henry County resident.

The decision has eased others as well.

“I was kind of glad because I felt like he wasn’t able to be our president,” said Mary McMiller, Henry County resident.

Election offices, however, remain undefined. General Registrar Dawn Stultz-Vaughn of Henry County is still awaiting word from the state regarding the next steps regarding the ballots.

The ballots have not yet been certified, but Virginia will start accepting early votes for the presidential election on September 20.

According to state regulations, the Virginia Department of Elections claims it collaborates with registrars.

“We hadn’t gotten a ballot list yet, anyhow,” said Dawn Stultz-Vaughn, Henry County General Registrar and Director of Elections. “It hadn’t been approved by the state. So basically, we wait to see what happens, see what Richmond says, and we follow instructions. We won’t print the ballots until we’re required to do so.”

Stultz-Vaughn reports that despite the uncertainty, more people are registering to vote this year because of the impending presidential election.

“I think more people want to become involved. They’re seeing the importance of elections and the impact that it has, individually, as well as a whole as a country. I think that people want to become more involved. I’m thankful because I’d rather than be part of the solution than the problem,” added Dawn Stultz-Vaughn.

The Democratic and Republican parties must submit their official nominations to the Virginia Department of Elections by August 23rd, according to the Department of Elections. Nevertheless, neither party has yet turned in their form as of yet.