Fredericksburg Voter Guide: Deadlines, Candidates, How To Vote

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Nov. 3 election is quickly approaching in Fredericksburg, and voters have already begun submitting absentee ballots through early voting locations, mail and drop boxes. This year, Fredericksburg voters will decide on races for president, U.S. House and 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. Fredericksburg voters may register at vote.elections.virginia.gov/Registration/Eligibility or in person weekdays at the Fredericksburg registrar's office at 601 Caroline Street, 5th floor during open hours. More information about registering is provided at https://www.fredericksburgva.gov/539/Voter-Registration.

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 scanned and emailed to vote@vote.fredericksburgva.gov, mailed to the Voter Registrar, 601 Caroline Street, 500-A, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, or faxed to the Voter Registrar at 540-373-8381. 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 are taking it to 601 Caroline Street 5th floor, Fredericksburg during voting hours, the 24/7 secure ballot drop box located at the front of 601 Caroline St., or any polling place in the city on Nov. 3 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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 601 Caroline Street, 5th floor, Fredericksburg. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and the last two Saturdays prior to Election Day. Free 4-hour parking is available at the rear of the building in the city parking garage.

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 in Fredericksburg, you can check your polling place at vote.elections.virginia.gov.

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 City of Fredericksburg 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, 1st District

• Qasim Rashid - Democrat
• Robert J. Wittman - 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?

Important dates for the Nov. 3 general election

• Friday, Sept. 18 — Early voting begins. In-person early voting is available at the Voter Registrar's Office, 601 Caroline Street, 5th floor, Fredericksburg, VA.
• 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 City of Fredericksburg's elections office website.