Still three ways to vote just three weeks from Election Day

By Randy Arrington

LURAY, Oct. 17 — The polls could see a record turnout in Page County this November. While only seven of the 16 races listed on this year’s local ballot are contested, the five local races that are contested have consumed the talk around all three towns, and dotted the hills with signs all across the county. In addition, Page County currently has a record-high number of registered voters at 17,203 (as of Monday, Oct. 16).

Also as of Monday, a total of 735 ballots have already been cast in Page County — 494 by in-person early voting, and another 241 absentee ballots returned by mail. However, that’s a far cry from the more than 9,000 votes expected to be cast locally in the 2023 election. Local election cycles every four years — and of course, presidential election years — tend to approach or exceed the 50-percent mark in voter turnout. Other years typically draw 40 to 45 percent. If local turnout this year exceeds 60 percent — and it is likely to come close — then Page County could surpass 10,000 ballots cast for the first time.

The deadline for registering to vote passed yesterday on Oct. 16. However, those who wish to vote by absentee ballot by mail may still apply through 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27.

In-person early voting began Sept. 22 and will be conducted for the upcoming general election from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday on the ground floor (follow the signs) of the Page County Administration Building, 103 South Court St., Luray. Signage in the rear parking lot behind the building offers information (including a phone number to call) for those who may need assistance. Staff from the registrar’s office can even come out and offer help, if needed.

The registrar’s office will also be open for in-person, early voting on the two Saturdays prior to Election Day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 — the final day for in-person early voting.

Emergency voting, which must meet state code requirements to qualify, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6. This is coordinated through the registrar’s office.

The polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 7. All those voting early in-person at the government center or on Election Day at the polls are reminded to bring a photo ID. Also make sure you know which voting precinct is yours, among the county’s five polling places (one in each magisterial district):

101 – Springfield Elementary School
201 – Luray VFW
301 – Stanley Fire Hall
401 – Stanley Elementary
501 – Shenandoah VFW

Page County Voter Registrar Carol Gaunt said her office is always looking for volunteers to help work inside the precincts at the polls on Election Day. For those interested, contact information is below the sample ballot.

Page Valley News will be publishing Q&As next week for the two candidates on the ballot running in the special election for a vacated council seat in Shenandoah. Links to Q&As with every other candidate in a contested race in the county this fall can be found below under “Related Articles”.

While the rest of the ballot was settled in June, the filing deadline for the Shenandoah Council seat was Aug. 18. Russell J. Comer Jr., who has served multiple terms on the Shenandoah Council, was elected to his most recent four-year term in November of 2020. Comer resigned from the Council effective June 30, 2023; leaving a vacancy for the remainder of his term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2024.

The rest of the ballot contains races for both houses of the Virginia legislature, all five constitutional officers in Page County, four seats on the Page County School Board, three seats on the Page County Board of Supervisors, two seats on the Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, and one seat on the Shenandoah Council.

Below is a list of candidates, by office, as they will appear on the 2023 ballot:

~ Decision 2023 ~

On the Page County Ballot

Virginia House of Delegates – District 33

C. Todd Gilbert (R), incumbent
Bob W. Smith (D)

Virginia Senate – District 2

Mark D. Obenshain (R), incumbent
Kathy A. Beery (D)
Joshua J. Huffman (I)

Page County Sheriff

Chadwick W. “Chad” Cubbage (R), incumbent
Aaron A. “AC23” Cubbage (I)

Clerk of the Page County Circuit Court

C. Grayson Markowitz (I), incumbent
Shirron Ballard (R)
Stephanie L. Breeden (I)
Kimberly “Kim” Bailey (I)

Page County Commissioner of the Revenue

Rebecca “Becky” Smith (R), incumbent
Thomas M. “Tom” Bauserman (I)

Page County Treasurer

Penny R. Gray (D), incumbent

Page County Commonwealth’s Attorney

Bryan M. Cave (R), appointed incumbent

Page County Board of Supervisors – District 2

Allen L. Louderback (R), incumbent
Paula Burner Kibler (I)

Page County Board of Supervisors – District 3

Ryan C. Cubbage (I)

Page County Board of Supervisors – District 4

Isaac B. Smelser (R)

Page County School Board – District 1

Taylor M. Alger, appointed incumbent (special election to fill term)

Page County School Board – District 2

Michael L. Overfelt

Page County School Board – District 3

Renee Bryant

Page County School Board – District 4

Duane E. Painter, incumbent

Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District – 2 reps for Page County

Charlie A. Newton
James W. “Jimmy” Burke

Shenandoah Council – Special election to fill vacated council seat

Brenda Frazier Haggett
Christopher M. Reisinger

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Page County Voter Registrar’s office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located in the Page County Government Center, 103 South Court Street, Suite D, Luray.

For more information, call (540) 743-3986.

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