Data Request for Local Ballot Initiatives/Referenda (Virginia Department of Elections)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

I am requesting data on local ballot initiatives/referenda that took place in the state since 1972. Specifically, I need the following information to be included in the data.

1. Text of the ballot initiative/referendum
2. Local government where the election took place.
3. County where the local government is located
4. Election date
5. Result of election (votes for, votes against, pass/fail)
6. Threshold to pass (50%, two-thirds, etc)

I have located a potential data source from your state at the following link: https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/ballot_questions/search/year_from:1927/year_to:2015/type:is_county
However, the data at this link does not contain information on the election date or threshold above. In addition, it contains only information on elections after 2002 or before 2015, while I request data for elections since 1972 until present.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Tom Nash, a citizen of Virginia, in coordination with Jimin Han.