Fredericksburg 2023 Voter Guide: Candidates, How To Vote

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Early voting kicked off on Friday in the City of Fredericksburg. This year's general election on Nov. 7 features local races for the State Senate, House of Delegates, City School Board, and City Council.

There are three candidates for two open at-large seats on the Fredericksburg City Council. Similarly, there are three candidates for two at-large seats on the city's school board.

Voters in Fredericksburg's 27th State Senate district and 65th House of Delegates district will also choose their state legislators.

You can confirm your districts on the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal.

What's on the ballot

• Member, State Senate district 27
  • Joel Griffin - Democrat
  • Tara Durant - Republican
  • Monica Gary - Independent
• Member, House of Delegates district 65
  • Joshua Cole - Democrat
  • Lee Peters III - Republican
• At-Large Representatives, Fredericksburg City School Board (choose two)
  • Margie Lucas
  • Molly McFadden
  • Jarvis Bailey
• At-Large Representatives, Fredericksburg City Council (choose two)
  • Jannan W. Holmes
  • Will B. Mackintosh
  • Matthew J. Kelly
• Fredericksburg City Mayor
  • Kerry P. Devine
• Fredericksburg City Sheriff
  • Scott Foster
• Soil and Water Conservation Director Tri-County/City District
  • Charles M. Koch Jr.

How to Vote Early

In-person early voting begins Friday, Sept. 22 and continues through 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Voters in Fredericksburg can cast their ballot in person at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will also be in-person early voting at the office on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

An acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person in Virginia. Voters who do not present this ID can cast a provisional ballot. Examples of acceptable ID are a driver's license, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or another government document with the voter’s name and address.

A mail-in ballot is another option. Applications to request a mail-in ballot are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. Completed ballots must be returned to the Fredericksburg Office of Voter Registration and Elections by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 or or by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27 online.

To request a mail-in ballot, visit vote.elections.virginia.gov, and download an application online.

Mail-in ballots can be returned by mail, in person or drop box. A ballot drop box is available until 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at 601 Caroline Street.

As part of a new Virginia law, mail-in ballots must include the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number and birth year instead of the previous witness signature requirement.

How to Register to Vote or Update Voter Registration

Oct. 16 is the deadline for voter registration or updating an existing voter registration (such as an address change). The deadline is 11:59 p.m. online and 5 p.m. in person. The easiest way to register or check your registration is online at vote.elections.virginia.gov by Oct. 16.

Voters who do not update their registration before the Oct. 16 deadline can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day through the same-day registration process.

How to Vote on Election Day

Visit your assigned polling place during voting hours to cast a ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voting hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find your polling place on the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal.
Like in-person early voting, an acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person on Election Day. Provisional ballots are an alternative to voters without an ID at their polling place.

Where To Find Election Results

Unofficial election results will start to come in after polls close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Follow Patch on Election Day for live coverage of local and state election results.

Read more:

• Candidate Profile: Molly McFadden For Fredericksburg School Board
• 2023 Candidate Profile: Margie Lucas For Fredericksburg School Board
• 2023 Candidate Profile: Matthew Kelly For Fredericksburg City Council