Craig County voters will encounter a double-sided ballot when they go to the polls Nov. 3 for the general and special elections, according to Joanna L. Ryan, the county’s director of elections and general registrar.
“It’s been quite some time since we have had a double-sided ballot,” Ryan said. “”We sent out sample ballots and amendment explanations to many households.”
“We are trying to get the information out there so voters will feel confident when they come to vote.” We are trying to get the information out there so voters will feel confident when they come to vote.”
The county’s Nov. 3 ballot includes races for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives 9th District, three proposed constitutional amendments, the Town of New Castle’s mayor and Town Council, and a special election for the Craigs Creek District seat on the Board of Supervisors.
In the U.S. Senate race, voters will choose between Mark R. Warner, Democrat; Bert Mizusawa, Republican; or a write-in candidate. The U.S. House 9th District race lists Joy A. Powers, Democrat; H. Morgan Griffith, Republican; or a write-in candidate.
The special election for the Craigs Creek District Board of Supervisors seat, which has a term ending Dec. 31, 2027, lists Raymond L. Christian and a write-in option.
Town of New Castle voters will choose a mayor between James “Lenny” Macdonald and a write-in candidate. The Town Council race instructs voters to select no more than four. The listed candidates are Robert E. Lee, Karen S. Crush and Robyn Leigh Foster, with a write-in option also available.
The second side of the ballot contains three proposed constitutional amendments. The first asks whether the Virginia Constitution should be amended regarding personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management and fertility care.
The second concerns same-sex marriage and equal treatment of legally valid marriages. The third addresses voting rights, including voting rights for people convicted of felonies after release from incarceration and language concerning individuals found to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting.
Ryan said sample ballots and amendment explanations have been distributed to help voters become familiar with the ballot before arriving at the polls. Sample ballots also are available through the county’s Voter Registration Office and on the county website.
Early voting began Sept. 18 and continues through Oct. 31 at the Voter Registration Office, 155 Main St. in New Castle. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with additional hours for in-person early voting on Oct. 18, Oct. 24, Oct. 25 and Oct. 31. Oct. 31 is the final day of early voting.
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Registration applications must be received by the registrar’s office by that time or postmarked by the deadline. Absentee ballot applications also must be received by the registrar’s office by 5 p.m. Oct. 23.
On Election Day, Nov. 3, all polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee ballot drop-off stations will be available at all precincts and at the registrar’s office.
-The New Castle Record
