Action | 2013 Periodic Review Chapter 60 Election Administration |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 4/25/2016 |
1VAC20-60-30 amplifies 24.2-604 and 604, in addition to authorized representatives and voters, also mentions prohibitions in relation to the media [24.2-604(J)].
1VAC20-60-30 as presented in this version of the staff’s recommendations does not address the media but should.
The entire Code – not just 24.2, and the VAC for that matter, is nearly silent when it comes to the media, and today’s, “I have a smartphone and a blog and I’m a reporter,” reality merits some rules.
The Department is allowed latitude under their general rule making authority to provide guidance to the field that empowers more efficient and uniform election management.
THEREFORE, please add a “Section 10” to Chapter 60 Election Administration with a definition of “media.”
In that definition please limit the definition to credentialed TV, radio, and newspaper/magazine print journalism so as to not burden our officers of elections and Electoral Boards with having to decide if “Skippy” really is a reporter or not.
ADDITIONALLY, as was mentioned in a previous poster’s comment: Please relabel and relocate the paragraphs into a more logical order keeping like and like together: A stays A ... but swap B and C.