VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — For nearly two decades, Roger Durity has helped Virginia Beach voters do something fundamental to American democracy: cast their ballots.
Durity, a retired Navy veteran, is now in his 19th year as an election volunteer. His dedication to serving his community recently earned him a surprise recognition as a News 3 Everyday Hero.
News 3 caught up with Durity at the Bayside Recreation Center, one of Virginia Beach’s satellite voting locations. What he thought would be a routine interview quickly turned into something much more.
Christine Lewis, director of Virginia Beach Elections, was among those who helped organize the surprise.
“He’s wonderful,” Lewis said. “He helps us with training. He helps us with anything we need.”
Election officials say volunteers like Durity are critical to keeping elections running smoothly.
“Any given election we could have anywhere from 800 to 1,500 people working at one time,” said Jennifer Halpin, Virginia Beach’s election official coordinator.
And Durity stands out for his consistency.
“Some people like Roger work every single election that we have and never miss a single one,” Halpin said.
At the satellite voting location, Durity helps with the work that keeps the operation moving, from voting equipment and ballots to assisting other election volunteers.
For Durity, that commitment to service began long before he became an election volunteer. He spent 20 years in the Navy, and he said the oath he took while serving continues to influence what he does today.
“Once you take that oath to protect the Constitution in America, this is part of it too,” Durity said.
That sense of duty is something he has carried from his military career into his work at the polls.
“We wanna serve,” Durity said.
It was that dedication that led Lewis to recommend Durity for the News 3 Everyday Hero Award.
News 3 surprised Durity at the recreation center with the honor, surrounded by the election officials and volunteers who have worked alongside him.
As part of the recognition, News 3 community partner Southern Bank presented Durity with a $425 Visa gift card. The award is normally $300, but Southern Bank increased it by $125 in celebration of its 125th anniversary.
And Durity isn't finished serving Virginia Beach voters.
He says he plans to return next year, which would mark his 20th year as an election volunteer.
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