VIRGINIA BEACH — State elections officials say community activist Latasha Holloway, who was a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit that led to a new local voting system in Virginia Beach, did not qualify to appear on the ballot in a congressional race this year.
Holloway, who lives in Virginia Beach, has been running as an independent candidate in the Virginia 3rd Congressional District, in which she would face longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Dr. Terry Namkung.
During recent interviews, Holloway said she will fight the disqualification.
“I will be on the ballot,” she said.
Via email on Monday, July 11, a state elections spokesperson wrote that Holloway filed nominating petitions with the state to run in the 3rd Congressional District as an independent candidate, but Holloway did not gather the required 1,000 signatures from registered voters living within the district.
Holloway on Wednesday, July 13, said she is challenging the decision by state election officials over her signatures while pursuing options, including seeking an extension to meet the signature criteria. She may turn to the courts, if needed, she said.
“I feel confident that I will be on the ballot,” said Holloway, who said she has been overwhelmed by support in the community for her candidacy.
“It’s unfortunate that these are what appear to be hinderances to citizens getting the candidate of their choice on the ballot,” she added.
Andrea Gaines, the spokesperson who provided a response to information requested by The Independent News, wrote that the department notified Holloway of the disqualification.
Holloway responded with an appeal before a Tuesday, June 28, deadline, but that appeal did not include a needed notarized seal, according to information provided by Gaines. Holloway provided that seal to the department on Friday, July 1, but this was after the deadline.
Elections Services Manager Dave Nichols on Friday, July 1, wrote to Holloway that the request for an appeal had not been notarized until a day after the appeal deadline and was not sent via UPS until two days after the deadline.
The department and state board of elections “cannot consider your hearing request and consider this matter closed,” Nichols wrote.
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