Ex-Virginia Elections Registrar Loses Appeal of Ouster Verdict

Federal appeals court upholds decision to remove Democrat from registrar position in Lynchburg, Virginia

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A federal appeals court has upheld the ouster of Christine Gibbons, a Democratic elections registrar in Lynchburg, Virginia, rejecting her appeal to overturn the verdict in favor of the local electoral board. Gibbons was appointed registrar in 2018 but was removed from the position in 2023 by a board made up of members from both political parties.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing partisan tensions and legal battles over election administration, with accusations of political bias on both sides. The appeals court's decision affirms the electoral board's authority to remove a registrar, even one from the opposing political party, raising concerns about the independence and nonpartisanship of election officials.

The details

The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that the district court properly screened jurors for political bias and did not abuse its discretion in rejecting evidence presented by Gibbons in her attempt to overturn the verdict. The appeals court upheld the lower court's decision that the Lynchburg electoral board was justified in removing Gibbons from her position as registrar.

  • Gibbons was appointed elections registrar in Lynchburg, Virginia in 2018.
  • In 2023, the Lynchburg electoral board, composed of members from both political parties, voted to remove Gibbons from her registrar position.
  • Gibbons appealed the decision, but the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld the lower court's ruling on February 11, 2026.

The players

Christine Gibbons

A Democrat who was appointed as the elections registrar in Lynchburg, Virginia in 2018 but was later removed from the position by the local electoral board in 2023.

Lynchburg Electoral Board

The local electoral board in Lynchburg, Virginia that is composed of members from both political parties and voted to remove Christine Gibbons from her position as elections registrar in 2023.

US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

The federal appeals court that upheld the lower court's decision to remove Christine Gibbons from her position as elections registrar in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing partisan tensions and legal battles over election administration, with concerns about the independence and nonpartisanship of election officials. The appeals court's decision affirms the electoral board's authority to remove a registrar, even one from the opposing political party, raising questions about the fairness and impartiality of the electoral process.