Why Wait Till November? Mid-Term Election Early Voting  Processes in Place Now

This reporter used background research on the now-available early voting process to vote early on September 28th at 465 West 15th Street, Suite 800, Warren County Elections Office, and at the early voting site in the County Health and Human Services building complex. Some have called this year’s midterm election the most important in the nation’s history. Certainly don’t want to miss the opportunity to express an opinion on such a crucial moment in the history of America, or take advantage of the opportunity to do so without standing in an election day line for an excessive amount of time on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Warren County Director of Elections Matthew Reisinger.

We asked County Director of Elections and General Registrar Matthew Reisinger about early voting times, locations, and rules. Reisinger gave us a trio of handout flyers covering the early voting process, elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels who are and are not up for re-election this year, and how to ensure you’re properly registered to vote early or on Election Day, November 3rd.

First, you must be legally registered to vote and know where and how you can vote. Reisinger pointed out that the ONLY place to vote EARLY in person in Warren County, including the Town of Front Royal, is the County Office of Elections at 465 W. 15th Street, Suite 800, in the old middle school building.

As a double-check to the “DATES TO KNOW” section below, Reisinger also gave us these details on the Warren County Office of Elections dates and hours:

“Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

“We will be closed, so no early voting on Monday, October 12, for the county-observed holiday.

“Both Sundays (Oct. 18 & Oct. 25) hours are 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

“Both Saturdays (Oct. 24 & Oct. 31) hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.”

Approaching the Electoral Board office’s main entrance above the old football and track fields, down a hill and out of view to the right.

Below, we summarize some printed information and ways to ensure you are properly registered and at the correct location to vote early or on Election Day.

DATES TO KNOW

“September 18 — the first day to vote early at your local voter registration office.” You may find your local office site at the website <elections.virginia.gov/VRO>

“October 18 (Sunday) — Local voter registration offices are open for in-person voting.

“October 23 (by 5 p.m.) — Last day to request that a ballot be mailed to you.” Also on October 23 — “Last day to register or update your address to vote a regular ballot for the election.”

It is also noted that “Voters may register in person after Oct. 23, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot.”

The weekend of October 24 (Saturday) and October 25 (Sunday), it is noted that “Local voter registration office is open for in-person voting”. Hours, as noted above, are Oct. 24, 9 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 25, Noon to 5 p.m.

October 31 (Saturday) — “Last day to vote early in-person at your local voter registration office.”

November 3 (Election Day) — Vote at your polling place. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More views of competing political signage at the approach to the WC Electoral Board office and early voting site.

WAYS TO VOTE

Receive a Ballot by Mail — Request a ballot at <elections.virginia.gov/absentee> by 5 p.m., October 23.

You may return your ballot: By mail, postmarked on or before November 3;

Before Election Day: to your voter registration office, drop-off location, or satellite location.

On Election Day (by 7 p.m.)—to your voter registration office, any polling place, or drop-off location.

In Person Before Election Day: From September 18 through October 31, you can vote early at your local voter registration office. A satellite voting location may also be available. Bring acceptable ID. Find your local voter registration office at <elections.virginia.gov/VRO>

In Person on Election Day: On Tuesday, November 3, vote at your polling place. Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. — Bring acceptable ID. You may find your polling place at: <elections.virginia.gov/VoterInfo>.

BRING YOUR ID

“You need to show an acceptable ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement to vote in person for an election.” For a full list of acceptable IDs, go to <elections.virginia.gov/VoterID>

If you have further questions, contact the Warren County Office of Elections at 540 635-4327 or by email at <vote@warrencountyva.gov>