General Election 2022: Dates, Races To Know In Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Early voting in Fredericksburg began on Sept. 23 and will continue until Nov. 5. The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 17. However, people who fail to register to vote in advance can still vote with a provisional ballot and register on Election Day.

The only election for voters in Fredericksburg is for the 7th congressional district, which was recently redrawn.

The race for the 7th district is between incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican challenger Yesli Vega. Vega currently sits on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors representing the Coles district.

The 7th district "leans Democrat," according to the 2022 Cook Political Report's House race ratings.

Spanberger has represented the 7th district since 2019. She sits on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. She previously worked as a CIA officer.

Vega was elected to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in 2019. She works with the Prince William County Sheriff's Office and previously worked as a police officer in Manassas Park and the City of Alexandria.

Any registered voter can vote in the November 2022 election, as Virginia does not register voters by party. In-person early voting in Prince William County will continue through Saturday, Nov. 5. Election Day voting will happen from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Key Dates to Know

• Oct. 17: Deadline for voter registration or updating an existing voter registration (such as address change). Visit vote.elections.virginia.gov to register or update your registration.
• Oct. 25: Additional early voting sites open.
• Oct. 28: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot. The quickest way to apply for a mail-in ballot is online at vote.elections.virginia.gov.
• Nov. 5: Last day for in-person early voting.
• Nov. 8: Polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. For voters returning a mail-in ballot, they must be returned to the Office of Elections by 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 and received by noon on Nov. 14.

Early voting is available in person and does not require an application in advance. An acceptable form of identification is required for in-person voting in Virginia.

Here are the early voting locations that are now open in Fredericksburg:

• Registrar’s office, 601 Caroline St., Suite 500A (fifth floor), Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5954

Early voting is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Early voting will also be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.

Mail-in Ballots

Virginia voters do not need an excuse to request a mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots may be requested by visiting vote.elections.virginia.gov.

Applications to request a mail-in ballot are due by Oct. 28. Completed ballots must be returned to the Office of Elections by 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 or postmarked by Nov. 8 and received by noon on Nov. 14. Ballots can also be dropped off at drop box at 601 Caroline St.

Voting on Election Day

If you're voting on Election Day, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 8. An acceptable form of identification is required to vote in person at your polling place.

Confirm your polling place by visiting vote.elections.virginia.gov.

Unofficial election results will start to come in after polls close on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Follow Patch on Election Day for live coverage of congressional election results