McLean voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to fill a Senate seat, a House seat and weigh $255 million in county borrowing. Three proposed changes to the Virginia Constitution are also on the ballot.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote, according to Fairfax County elections records. Unlike early voting, residents must vote at their assigned Election Day precinct. Polling place assignments are available through the Virginia Department of Elections voter information portal.
Here is what is on the ballot.
U.S. Senate
Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat who has held the seat since 2009, is seeking another term. He faces Republican Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army major general and attorney who won the Aug. 4 Republican primary with 51.5% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia. Mizusawa defeated David Williams and Kim Farington in that primary.
Voters may also write in a candidate.
8th Congressional District
Rep. Don Beyer, a Democrat and member of the House Ways and Means Committee, is running for another term. He faces three challengers: Republican Tony Sabio, Libertarian Shelly Arnoldi and independent Tim Sharman.
Beyer won a contested Democratic primary in August, defeating four challengers, according to McLean Patch. Sabio secured the Republican nomination before the primary.
Fairfax County spans three congressional districts. Residents should confirm their district using their sample ballot on the Fairfax County elections website.
$180 million parks bond
A yes vote would let Fairfax County borrow up to $180 million to buy parkland, build new park facilities and upgrade existing ones. The Fairfax County Park Authority's current plan earmarks $51 million for repairs and upgrades to playgrounds, trails, athletic facilities and shelters, and $89 million for recreation centers, according to the county's bond page.
A no vote would reject the new borrowing but would not cancel park bonds voters approved previously.
$75 million health and human services bond
A yes vote would authorize borrowing up to $75 million to build, expand or renovate health care and community support facilities. Current plans call for $35 million to renovate or replace the Joanne Jorgenson Public Health Laboratory and $40 million for facilities at the Tim Harmon Campus that support substance use and mental health treatment, according to county records.
The county says the bond program is designed so these bonds would not contribute to a property tax rate increase. Fairfax County holds AAA ratings from all three major bond rating agencies.
Three constitutional amendments
Question 1 — Reproductive freedom. Would establish constitutional protections for decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, contraception, abortion and fertility care. The state could still restrict abortions during the third trimester, with exceptions when a physician determines the procedure is necessary to protect the patient's life or physical or mental health, or when the fetus cannot survive outside the womb. A no vote would leave the constitution unchanged and would not, by itself, prohibit abortion.
Question 2 — Marriage equality. Would remove the Virginia Constitution's existing ban on same-sex marriage and protect marriage regardless of sex, gender or race. A no vote would keep the current language, though same-sex marriage would remain legal under federal protections.
Question 3 — Felony voting rights. Would automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies upon release from incarceration, removing the current requirement for the governor to restore them. It would also require a court finding before voting rights could be removed on the basis that someone cannot understand the act of voting.
What to know before you go
Residents who missed the Oct. 23 registration deadline can still register through Election Day and cast a provisional ballot. Voters who received absentee ballots can return them in person at their assigned polling place or at the Fairfax County Government Center drop box at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax by 7 p.m. Tuesday. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by noon Friday, Nov. 6.
