McLean residents have until Friday, Oct. 23, to register to vote or request a mail-in ballot for the Nov. 3 general election.

The ballot includes a U.S. Senate race, a congressional contest, two Fairfax County bond referendums totaling $255 million and three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution. Here is what McLean voters need to know.

Registration and mail ballot deadlines

In-person registration applications are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 23, according to the Fairfax County Office of Elections. Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. that same day.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is also 5 p.m. on Oct. 23, Patch reported. Completed mail ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters can return them by mail, in person at the polls or at the ballot drop box outside the Fairfax County Government Center. Voters who miss the Oct. 23 deadline can still register in person on Election Day and cast a provisional ballot.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat seeking a fourth term, faces Republican Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army major general who won the Aug. 4 GOP primary. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the seat as solidly Democratic, Cardinal News reported on Sept. 22.

Warner has said this would be his final term if elected. Mizusawa, who stressed his national security credentials during the primary, has called the race a "sleeper" for now, according to Cardinal News.

Congressional races

McLean is split between congressional districts. Depending on their address, residents will vote in the 8th, 10th or 11th District race, according to the Fairfax County Office of Elections.

In the 8th District, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer faces Republican Tony Sabio, Libertarian Shelly M. Arnoldi and independent Tim Sharman. In the 10th, U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam faces Republican Dave Beckwith and independent Ahsen Mujeeb Malik. In the 11th, U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw faces Republican Arthur Purves and Green Party candidate Dianne Blais.

Bond referendums

Fairfax County is asking voters to approve two bond measures. A $180 million parks bond would fund land purchases, new park facilities and improvements to existing parks. The Fairfax County Park Authority hopes to use part of that money to renovate the inclusive playground at McLean's Clemyjontri Park, which was built in 2006, FFXnow reported.

A separate $75 million bond would fund community health and human services facilities, including construction, expansion and renovation. A "no" vote on either measure would not cancel bonds voters previously approved.

Both bonds would be repaid with interest.

Constitutional amendments

Three statewide questions appear on the ballot:

Question 1 (Reproductive Freedom): A "yes" vote would add protections to the state constitution for decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, birth control, abortion and fertility care. The state could still limit abortions during the third trimester with exceptions for the patient's health. A "no" vote would leave the constitution unchanged.

Question 2 (Marriage Equality): A "yes" vote would remove the constitution's ban on same-sex marriage and affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender or race. A "no" vote would keep the ban's language, though same-sex marriage remains legal under the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling.

Question 3 (Voting Rights): A "yes" vote would make voting a fundamental right in the state constitution and automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies upon release from incarceration. A "no" vote would keep the current system requiring individual restoration.

Early voting and Election Day

Three Fairfax County locations have offered early voting since Sept. 18. Starting Oct. 22, 13 additional sites open, including two close to McLean and Great Falls:

  • McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road: Monday through Friday, 1-7 p.m.; Saturdays Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 25, noon-5 p.m.
  • Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike: same hours as McLean.
  • Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church: same hours as McLean.

In-person early voting ends Oct. 31. On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.