Loudoun Voter Guide 2020: Deadlines, Candidates, How To Vote

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The Nov. 3 election is quickly approaching in Loudoun County, and voters have already begun submitting absentee ballots through early voting locations, mail and drop boxes. This year, Loudoun voters will decide on races for president, U.S. House, U.S. Senate, as well as state constitutional amendments.

The voter registration deadline is coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 13. That deadline also applies to voters to update their address. Loudoun voters may register at https://www.loudoun.gov/196/Register-to-Vote, or in person weekdays at the Loudoun County registrar's office at 750 Miller Drive SE in Leesburg.

Early/Absentee Voting

Absentee voting by mail and in person began on Sept. 18. Due to a new state law that took effect on July 1, all registered Virginia voters can have no-excuse absentee voting.

Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. is the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail. Voters can submit an application online through the Virginia Department of Elections or download a paper copy of the absentee ballot application. Completed paper applications can be mailed to: Loudoun County Voter Registration, 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite C, Leesburg, VA 20175. Applications must be received by the Voter Registrar at 5 p.m. on Oct. 23.

For absentee ballots returned by mail, they must be postmarked by Nov. 3 or delivered in person by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Alternatives to returning an absentee ballot by mail or taking it to 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite C in Leesburg.

For early voting in person, voters only need to show up at the early voting location with an acceptable form of ID. From Sept. 18 through Oct. 31, in-person early voting is available at 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite C in Leesburg.

Preparing for Election Day

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. For those voting in person on Nov. 3, you can check your polling place at https://www.loudoun.gov/197/Find-Your-Polling-Place.

An acceptable form of identification is required to vote in person, but it no longer has to be a photo ID. Examples of accepted IDs include a Virginia driver's license or DMV-issued photo ID, U.S. passport, and copy of a utility bill, paycheck or other government document showing the voter's address.

What's on the Ballot

Sample ballots are now available for Loudoun County voters. Below are the candidates on the ballot and proposed Virginia constitutional amendments.

President and Vice President

• Joseph R. Biden, President and Kamala D. Harris, Vice President - Democrat
• Donald J. Trump, President and Michael R. Pence, Vice President - Republican
• Jo Jorgensen, President and Jeremy F. "Spike" Cohen, Vice President - Libertarian

Member, United States Senate

• Mark R. Warner - Democrat
• Daniel M. Gade - Republican

Member House of Representatives, 10th District

• Jennifer T. Wexton - Democrat
• Aliscia N. Andrews - Republican

Constitutional Amendment #1

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to establish a redistricting commission, consisting of eight members of the General Assembly and eight citizens of the Commonwealth, that is responsible for drawing the congressional and state legislative districts that will be subsequently voted on, but not changed by, the General Assembly and enacted without the Governor's involvement and to give the responsibility of drawing districts to the Supreme Court of Virginia if the redistricting commission fails to draw districts or the General Assembly fails to enact districts by certain deadlines?

Constitutional Amendment #2

Should an automobile or pickup truck that is owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the United States armed forces or the Virginia National Guard who has a one hundred percent service connected, permanent, and total disability be free from state and local taxation?

Public schools bonds

Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $123,755,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design, construct, and equip Douglass School Renewal; the costs to design, construct, and equip LCPS Facility Renewals and Alterations; the costs to design, construct, and equip School Security Improvements; the costs to design, construct, and equip a Student Welcome Center at Sterling Elementary School; and the costs of other public school facilities as requested by the Loudoun County School Board?

Public safety bonds

Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $29,516,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design, construct, and equip a Fire and Rescue Training Academy Expansion; the costs to design, construct, and equip Philomont Fire and Rescue Station Replacement; and the costs of other public safety facilities approved in the County's Capital Improvement Program?

Parks and recreation bonds

Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $3,825,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design, construct, and equip Philip A. Bolen Park Phase II; the costs to design, construct, and equip Scott Jenkins Memorial Park Phase III; and the costs of other public park, recreational and community center projects approved in the County's Capital Improvement Program?

Transportation bonds

Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation capital improvement bonds in the maximum principal amount of $151,210,000 to finance, in whole or in part, the costs to design and construct Segments 1 and 1B of Braddock Road; the costs to design and construct the widening of Loudoun County Parkway from Ryan Road to Shellhorn Road; the costs to design and construct improvements to Route 15 between Montresor Road and Point of Rocks Bridge; the costs to design and construct a roadway from Route 50 at Tall Cedars Parkway to Route 28; the costs to design and construct a roundabout at Route 50 and Trailhead Drive; the costs to design and construct sidewalk segments along River Creek Parkway; the costs to design and construct the County's Sidewalk and Trail Program; and the costs of other public road and transportation projects approved in the County's Capital Improvement Program?

Important dates for the Nov. 3 general election

• Friday, Sept. 18 — Early voting begins. In-person early voting is available at the Loudoun County Registrar's office at 750 Miller Drive SE, Suite C, Leesburg.
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Last day to register to vote or update registration for the Nov. 3 election. The deadline is 5 p.m. in person and 11:59 p.m. online.
• Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. — Application deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. — Deadline to vote early in person.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. — Deadline to return completed ballot to registrar. If returning your ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the registrar by noon on the third day after the election (Nov. 6).
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information, visit the Loudoun County Voter Registrar's website.