IN PHOTOS: Rappahannock County Republican and Democratic committees host rallies; caravan
Local Republicans, Democrats hold friendly rallies
Rappahannock voters will head to the polls Tuesday to elect a president, vice president, U.S. senator and member of Congress as well as vote on a state constitutional amendment.
The Rappahannock County Republican and Democratic committees have been busy encouraging residents to vote early as Election Day approaches. As of Saturday afternoon, 1,369 residents voted early and in person at the Office of the General Registrar in the Town of Washington, according to the machine that tallies ballots.
The Republican committee organized a “Trump Caravan” — a parade of more than 30 trucks, trailers and cars — that drove from Amissville to Chester Gap and made stops in each village early Saturday afternoon. Participants decorated their vehicles with flags and campaign signs for former President Donald Trump, the Republican’s presidential nominee.
The Republican committee also organized its second rally this year at the courthouse Saturday morning — they last gathered in September on the first day of in-person early voting.
“We felt that rally was really well received,” said Republican committee Vice Chair Carol Anne Cole. “We want to help conservatives understand the importance of early voting.”
The Democratic committee wanted to share in the excitement for early voting and organized a dueling rally. Organizer Michelle McKinney said everyone at the rally, on both sides of the aisle, were kind and courteous throughout the morning.
“We wanted our voters to feel the support,” McKinney said.
Registered voters can cast their early ballots at the Registrar’s Office, 262-A Gay St. in the Town of Washington, until 4 p.m., Nov. 2. Be sure to bring a valid form of identification.
The voter registration office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and on Saturday, Nov. 2.
There is a handicapped accessible parking space behind the office and a sign with the office phone number, 540-675-5380. Just call and someone will come out and assist the voter curbside. All polling places have van accessible parking and offer curbside voting.
What is the constitutional amendment?
Virginia voters will see a question on the ballot about a proposed state constitutional amendment: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended so that the tax exemption that is currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action is also available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty?
The proposed amendment would expand a current tax exemption so that it is available to all surviving spouses of soldiers who are determined by the U.S. Department of Defense to have died in the line of duty, according to the Virginia Department of Elections, which also states:
-
A “yes” vote would allow the surviving spouse to claim the same real property tax exemption on their principal place of residence that is currently only available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who are killed in action.
-
A “no” vote will not allow such additional surviving spouses to claim the real property tax exemption.
To read the full text of the proposed amendment, visit: rappnews.link/jwa
Key dates
Now through Nov. 2 – Early, in-person and by mail voting permitted, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 262-A Gay St. Washington
Nov. 5 – Election Day polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 – All mailed absentee ballots must be received at the registrar’s office by noon. Local election officials have 10 days from Election Day to “canvass” and verify votes, including provisional ballots. The vote results are then transmitted to Virginia’s State Board of Elections for review.
Dec. 2 – Elections results are certified by Virginia’s State Board of Elections.
Dec. 11 – By this date, the governor signs the Certificates of Ascertainment to appoint the electors chosen in the general election. The certificates are sent to the archivist in the U.S. National Archives.
Dec. 17 – Electors in each state meet to select the president and vice president. The votes are recorded on Certificates of Vote and sent to the president of the U.S. Senate and the archivist. Certificates are reviewed in preparation for a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6.
— Bob Hurley for Foothills Forum
Sign up for Rapp News Daily, a free newsletter delivered to your email inbox every morning.
