Time to vote

In case you missed it, early voting began on September 23. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8 for those who prefer to cast ballots in person. Each voter in Goochland, according to county registrar Ryan Mulligan, should have received an updated voter card by now. As the result of electoral redistricting following the 2020 federal census, your electoral district and polling precinct may have changed.

All of Goochland County is now in the 5^th US Congressional District. The only item on this year’s ballot is election of our congressional representative.

Candidates in 2022 are incumbent Bob Good (R) bobgoodforcongress.com and Josh Throneburg (D) joshforvirginia.com.

 Early voting, also known as “In-Person Absentee Voting” will be available at the Goochland Sports Complex at 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA 23063 during normal office hours, 8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays beginning Friday, September 23 and continuing until Friday, November 4. The office will also be open for Absentee Voting on Saturday, October 29 and Saturday, November 5 from 9am until 5pm as well as Sunday October 30 from 12pm until 4pm.

Absentee voting by mail requires completion of an application available online. Mailed ballots may be returned in person during normal business hours at a drop box at the Goochland Sports Complex.

Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/359/Elections-and-Voter-Registration for complete information about voting.

In 2023, all seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and state Senate, are up for election. Goochland is now in the 10^th Senate District and is the 57^th and 65^th District for the House of Delegates. All local officials, sheriff, clerk of the court, commissioner of the revenue, Commonwealth’s Attorney, board of supervisors, and school board members are also up for election in 2023.

At its September 13 monthly meeting, the Goochland Electoral Board, comprised of Pamela C. Johnson, Robin Lind, and Wanda Taylor, reviewed election procedures with Mulligan. This group works very hard to ensure the integrity of local elections.

Ballots ready for this year's election

Lind, a veteran of decades of local voting, said that he would be surprised if Goochland’s voter turnout this November exceeds 62 percent, enough to secure bragging rights for being the votingist jurisdiction in the state.

According to a handout distributed at the meeting, Goochland has 20,993 registered voters as of September 13, 2022. Of those, 20,228 are active. Goochland’s population, as reported by the 2020 census, is approximately 25,000. This indicates that most county citizens vote, at least in federal and state elections.

Conducting elections is a complicated process that requires many people to do it right. Election officials work few, but long, days per year. Their service is vital to ensure fair, honest elections. To learn more about becoming an election official go to https://www.goochlandva.us/359/Elections-and-Voter-Registration for complete information.