proposed bill would

proposed bill would ban election officials’

political activism

After learning of the State Board of Elections chairman’s role in a recent political campaign, Sen. Stephen Martin (R-Chesterfield) is proposing legislation to bar board members from holding certain political positions.

Martin’s proposed bill prevents board members from holding an elected office, a paid position in a campaign for an elected office or acting as a political committee chairman.

“It would seem to me that if someone is going to be on the electoral board, they need to be free of any bias or perceived biasness in terms of an election,” said Sen. Edward Houk (D-Spotsylvania), a co-patron of the bill.

Michael Brown, who served as African-American outreach coordinator in Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-Va.) senatorial campaign, is chairman of the Virginia State Board of Elections.

Sen. Martin said he does not believe Brown’s role in the campaign affected h;s performance as SBE chairman. However, Martin said political activism is still inappropriate for a board member, especially the board chairman.

“I think there needs to be a separation between candidates and election officials,” Houk said. “I just don’t think running for office and simultaneously serving as an election board member is a good thing.”

Martin said if the issue had emerged because an SBE member worked in a Republican campaign, he would maintain his stance.

With 24 senators and a delegate supporting the bill, Martin said he expects the bill to pass with ease. He said the bill also received support from Gov. Tim Kaine. “I think that across the board people agree this is totally inappropriate,” Martin said.

—By Lisa Chun

Bill would

raise penalties

for eluding police

Most people know that flashing blue lights mean pull over, and pull over now.