Reston Election Day Guide: Congressional Races, Bond Questions And More

RESTON, VA — Reston voters will head to the polls Tuesday to choose their U.S. House and Senate representatives, decide whether Fairfax County should borrow $255 million for parks and community facilities, and vote on three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.

Early voting ended Saturday, Oct. 31, but voters will have one final opportunity to cast their ballots in the Nov. 3 general election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

The ballot includes two U.S. Senate candidates, three candidates for Virginia's 11th Congressional District, two Fairfax County bond referendums, and three statewide constitutional amendments.

U.S. Senate

Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Warner is seeking another term against Republican Bert Mizusawa, who won the Republican nomination in the Aug. 4 primary.

Mizusawa, a retired Army major general and attorney, defeated David E. Williams and Kim Farington in the Republican primary. He has previously sought federal office in Virginia.

The candidates appearing on Reston's ballot are:

• Mark R. Warner — Democrat
• Bert Mizusawa — Republican

Voters may also write in a candidate.

11th Congressional District

Reston is part of Virginia's 11th Congressional District.

Democratic incumbent Rep. James Walkinshaw is seeking re-election against Republican Arthur Purves and Green Party candidate Dianne Blais.

The candidates are:

• James R. Walkinshaw — Democrat
• Arthur G. Purves — Republican
• Dianne L. Blais — Green Party

Voters may also write in a candidate.

Two Fairfax County Bond Referendums

Fairfax County voters will decide two bond referendums totaling $255 million. Each question asks whether the county should be authorized to borrow money for specific capital improvement projects.

Parks And Park Facilities — $180 Million

A yes vote would authorize Fairfax County to borrow up to $180 million to purchase land for parks, preserve open space, construct and equip new park facilities, and improve existing parks.

The county would be required to repay the borrowed money with interest.

A no vote would reject the proposed additional borrowing. It would not cancel park bonds voters previously approved.

Community Health And Human Services Facilities — $75 Million

A yes vote would authorize Fairfax County to borrow up to $75 million to acquire land and construct, expand, renovate or equip facilities that provide health care and other community support services.

The county would be required to repay the borrowed money with interest.

A no vote would reject the proposed additional borrowing. It would not cancel previously approved bonds for those facilities.

Three Constitutional Amendments

Reston voters will also decide three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution. Each will appear as a separate ballot question.

The proposals concern reproductive rights, marriage equality and restoration of voting rights for people convicted of felonies.

Question 1: Reproductive Freedom

Question 1 concerns reproductive rights, including decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, contraception, abortion and fertility care.

A yes vote would establish constitutional protections for those decisions and protect patients and health care providers from punishment for exercising those rights.

The state could restrict abortions during the third trimester, subject to exceptions when a physician determines the procedure is necessary to protect the patient's life or physical or mental health, or when the fetus cannot survive outside the womb.

A no vote would leave the Virginia Constitution unchanged. It would not, by itself, prohibit abortion or change existing laws.

Question 2: Marriage Equality

Question 2 would remove the Virginia Constitution's existing prohibition on same-sex marriage and establish protections for marriage regardless of sex, gender or race.

A yes vote would approve the amendment and require equal treatment of legally recognized marriages.

A no vote would retain the existing constitutional language, although same-sex marriage would remain legal under current federal constitutional protections.

Question 3: Restoration Of Voting Rights

Question 3 would change how voting rights are restored to people convicted of felonies.

A yes vote would automatically restore voting rights upon release from incarceration, without requiring the governor to restore them.

The amendment would also require a court determination that someone cannot understand the act of voting before voting rights could be removed on that basis.

A no vote would retain the existing system requiring restoration of voting rights for people convicted of felonies and the current constitutional restriction involving people adjudicated mentally incompetent.

Voting On Election Day

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Reston residents must vote at their assigned Election Day precinct. Unlike early voting, when Fairfax County residents could vote at any county early voting location, voters must report to their designated polling place on Tuesday.

Residents can find their assigned polling places through the Virginia Department of Elections voter information portal.

Early in-person voting ended Saturday, Oct. 31. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail was Oct. 23.

Voters who have already received absentee ballots can return them in person at their assigned polling place or at the Fairfax County Government Center ballot drop box at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The county must receive completed absentee ballots returned in person by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by noon on Friday, Nov. 6.

Virginia allows eligible residents who missed the Oct. 23 regular voter registration deadline to register through Election Day and cast a provisional ballot.

Voters can check their registration status through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal.

Reston voters can also review the official Fairfax County sample ballot before heading to the polls.