Write-in rule: 1st, last names

Waynesboro voters opting for a write-in candidate Tuesday had better know their picks’ first and last names.

The city Election Board has unanimously adopted a one-sentence resolution stipulating that first and last names must be included in write-ins so there won’t be a “misunderstanding for what counts as a vote,” said board Secretary Mary Alice Downs.

“We know there has been a big interest in write-ins,” Downs said. “We recognize that just using a candidate’s last name will not be sufficient for this election.”

Before September, the city’s only contested race pitted incumbent Treasurer Sandra “Sandee” Dixon against challenger Stephanie Beverage in a rematch of the 2005 contest.

Retired retail store manager Jim Serba and unemployed video store manager Terry Kent joined the race as write-ins, doubling the field, after The News Virginian reported that Dixon had been criticized in a fourth consecutive state audit for sloppy bookkeeping and insufficient controls.

Flyers for both Serba and Kent include a description of how to choose a write-in. Both ask voters to use candidates’ first and last names.

Scrambling to get the word out about their candidacies with Election Day looming, Serba and Kent upped their campaign spending more than Dixon and Beverage from Oct. 1 to Oct. 21, according to campaign finance reports released this week.

In that period, Kent spent $569 and Serba $899 on flyers and advertising materials. Beverage spent $115 on magnets in that period.

Kent also reported $3,000 in donations, including money he and his wife kicked in.

Previous reports show Dixon spent $99 on signs and Beverage spent almost $500 on other materials.

Finance reports for the period of Oct. 22 to Nov. 26 are due in early December.