Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408160009
SECTION: DISCOVER PAGE: 74 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
More often, if we can manage it.
Nov. 8, Virginia voters will take part in what's being billed as the "Election of the Century," the wild four-way race for the U.S. Senate between incumbent Democrat Charles Robb, Republican nominee Oliver North, and two independents, former Democratic Gov. Douglas Wilder and former Republican Attorney General Marshall Coleman.
Virginians will also elect 11 members to the House of Representatives. There are three congressional districts in Western Virginia:
The 6th District, which includes all but a smidgin of the Roanoke Valley and stretches north to Harrisonburg and east to Lynchburg, is represented by Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke. He is unopposed for a second term.
The 9th District, which includes the rural, southern edge of Roanoke County and rambles west to the Cumberland Gap, is represented by Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon.
Boucher, first elected in 1982, is being challenged by Republican Steve Fast of Bluefield.
The 5th District runs from Charlottesville to Danville, but comes close to the Roanoke Valley. It includes most of Bedford County, plus Bedford city, Franklin County, Henry County, Martinsville and Patrick County.
The 5th is reprsented by L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, who was first elected in 1988. He's being challenged by Republican George Landrith of Albemarle County.
Some localities will be voting on additional items, but here's a partial list of who'll be voting on what:
ROANOKE: City voters will be asked to approve a $23 million bond referendum of various capital projects, mostly water-and-sewer construction but also the proposed railside "boardwalk" connecting the City Market with the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
SALEM: Voters will be asked whether they want to start electing their School Board.
ROANOKE COUNTY: Voters in the Vinton, Windsor Hills and the Hollins magisterial districts will be the first county voters to elect school board members.
By Virginia standards, 1994 is a light election year, the high-profile Senate race notwithstanding. In 1995, though, the electoral action shifts to the state legislature. All 100 seats in the House of Delegates and all 40 seats in the state Senate will be up for grabs.
If you want to vote, however, you must register at least one month before the election. Also, a person must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, mentally competent and never been convicted of a felony.
A 17-year-old who will be 18 by Nov. 8 (this year's Election Day) may register and vote. Virginia has no minimum residency requirement and, unlike many states, does not require voters to register a party preference.
The deadline for registering for this year's general election is Oct. 10.
Voters can find out the location of their voting place by asking their registrar. A number for the registrar is listed under local governments in the blue pages of the telephone book.
Here is information on where to register:
ROANOKE: The old Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. S.W., room 109; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. 981-2281.
ROANOKE COUNTY: 5204 Bernard Drive, third floor; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. 772-7500.
SALEM: 19 E. Clay St; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. 375-3034.
BOTETOURT COUNTY: 2 E. Main St. in Fincastle; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 992-8235.
BEDFORD CITY: City Hall; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday from August until January; and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from January until August. 586-7157.
BEDFORD COUNTY: County administration building in suite 204; 8:30 a.m.-noon and 12:45-4:30 p.m. on weekdays. 586-7649. Bedford County residents may also register at Richards Grocery Store in Hardy, Moneta Farm Service in Moneta and at all Bedford County library facilities.
CRAIG COUNTY: County office building from January until July from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; during August through December from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Wednesdays. 864-6190.
FRANKLIN COUNTY: Virgil H. Goode Building; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 483-3025.
Voter registration is now statewide, which means that voters may register anywhere in the state of Virginia for the locality in which they live.
Voters who plan to be away on Election Day may cast absentee ballots by mail or in person at the registrar's office. Voters who want to cast absentee ballots by mail must file a request at least five days before the election to provide enough time for the ballot to be mailed by Election Day. Those who want to cast an absentee ballot in person must do so at least three days before the election.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB