Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3: what Fredericksburg-area voters need to know

Polls across Virginia open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Early in-person voting ended Saturday, Oct. 31, so Election Day ballots are cast at each voter's assigned polling place rather than at registrar's offices.

Where and how to vote

Voters can find their precinct through the state's online voter information lookup or by contacting their local general registrar. Stafford County notes on its election information page that there will be no voting at the county registrar's office on Election Day.

In-person voters need to show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement, according to the state's Voter Pocket Guide. Accepted IDs include a Virginia DMV driver's license or ID card (current or expired), a valid U.S. passport, a valid employer or student photo ID, a valid military ID, and a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck showing the voter's name and address. A voter whose name is not on the list may cast a provisional ballot. The guide also says voters may ask for a new ballot if they want to change a vote before casting it.

Curbside voting is available at polling places for voters who are 65 or older or have a disability. In Fredericksburg, the city's elections office says voters using curbside voting should park and call (540) 372-1030 for assistance.

Mailed ballots

Absentee ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3. They can also be dropped off by 7 p.m. on Election Day at a registrar's office, any polling place, or a drop-off location. Stafford County recommends that anyone mailing a ballot this close to Election Day take it inside the post office and ask the clerk to postmark it. Stafford lists noon on Friday, Nov. 6, as the deadline for postmarked ballots to arrive and for absentee ballot issues to be cured. Fredericksburg's drop boxes lock at 7 p.m. on Election Day, according to the city.

What's on regional ballots

Ballots across the region include races for U.S. Senate and U.S. House and three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution, dealing with reproductive health decisions, marriage, and voting rights. Some localities also have local items:

• Fredericksburg: one at-large School Board seat for an unexpired term, according to the city.

• Stafford: a referendum on whether the county may levy a local sales tax of up to 1% that could be used only for building new schools or major school renovations, according to Stafford County.

• Spotsylvania: a special election for Commissioner of the Revenue and four separate county bond questions for schools, transportation, public safety, and environmental and solid waste projects, totaling about $400.6 million in potential borrowing, as reported by the Spotsylvania Gazette from the county's sample ballot.

Voters with questions can contact their local registrar or the Virginia Department of Elections at (800) 552-9745.