Category: Elections

Here’s your chance to compare the large field of candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. Local Democratic organizations throughout the region are planning an online forum at 7 p.m., February 22, via the Zoom app.

Each candidate will be given a few minutes to introduce themselves to online participants, followed by a short question-and-answer period. This event is online-only and is not intended to be a debate.

As of this posting seven candidates are seeking the party’s nomination. They are Prince William County Supervisor Andrea Bailey, Greene County lawyer Carl Bedell, Prince William County Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin, Former Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Guzman, Former diplomat Clifford Heinzer of Stafford County, Virginia Delegate Briana Sewell of Prince William County, and retired Army colonel and national security advisor Eugene Vindman.

The party’s official candidate will be chosen in a primary election on June 18.

To participate in the forum click the Zoom link below to register. You will be emailed the Zoom link.

Virginia’s Presidential Primary Election, when Democrats will choose their nominee for president subject to the November general election, will be held the first Tuesday in March.

Early in person voting begins on January 19 and the final day to request a ballot by mail is February 23. Votes can be cast early on weekdays at the Orange County Voter Registration Office, 146 Madison Road, Suite 204, in Orange. The office will be open for early voting on two Saturdays — February 23 and March 2.

Though is is assumed that President Joe Biden will be the eventual nominee, there are two others who qualified to appear on the Virginia ballot. In addition to Biden, Virginia voters will see the names of author, speaker and politician Marianne Williamson and businessman and U.S. representative from Minnesota Dean Benson Phillips.

Simultaneous to the Virginia Democratic Primary, there will be a Republican Primary. The GOP ballot contains six names, including Chris Christie, Ryan L. Binkley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald J. Trump, Ron D. DeSantis and Nikki R. Haley.

Under Virginia law, a voter can ask for the ballot of either party without regard to party affiliation or previous voting record.

To find out where you vote based on your registration, visit the Virginia Department of Elections’ Citizen Portal.

Orange County has 12 polling places. Most residents of Lake of the Woods vote at District 5 South, the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse; District 5 North, the Lake of the Woods Community Center; District 4 West, Locust Grove primary School; or District 4 East, Germanna Community College.

For more information , contact the Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 540-672-5262 or visit the web site by following this link.