Time to decide: Virginia heads to the polls

A record-breaking number of voters are expected to head to the polls in the Charlottesville region today, casting a ballot for president, U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Voting precincts open at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Election officials are anticipating long lines throughout the day, as Charlottesville-area localities have reported a sharp increase in voter registrations and Virginia is widely considered a battleground state in the presidential contest.
“Try to stay calm, cool and collected,” advised Jake Washburne, Albemarle County’s general registrar. “If we get the enormous turnout that everyone is projecting, we’re going to get some lines. Hopefully they won’t be too terribly long. But you might want to bring along a good paperback, just in case.”
Both Charlottesville and Albemarle County have added many more poll workers to help things move along.
The marquee race atop today’s ballot is the presidential race between Democratic nominee Barack Obama and GOP nominee John McCain. Also running for president in
Virginia are Independent Green candidate Chuck Baldwin, Libertarian Bob Barr, Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney and independent Ralph Nader.
Virginia voters will also select a candidate to replace U.S. Sen. John W. Warner, R-Alexandria, who is retiring after three decades in Congress. Former Gov. Mark R. Warner, a Democrat, is facing former Gov. Jim Gilmore, a Republican, in the race. Independent Green nominee Glenda Gail Parker and Libertarian William Redpath are also running.

Voters in Virginia’s 5th District — which includes Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene and Nelson — will cast a ballot in the race between six-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount, and Democratic challenger Tom Perriello of Ivy.
In the 7th District, U.S. Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-Henrico, will face Democratic nominee Anita Hartke of Culpeper. The 7th District includes the counties of Louisa, Madison and Orange.
In past elections, the best time to vote was either mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Wash-burne said voters may encounter lines for much of the day, but volume will probably be lighter at times other than the pre-work rush, the lunch-hour rush and the post-work rush.
Voters are being asked to refrain from speaking on cell phones while waiting in line, election officials said, but silent entertainment is OK.

“If you’ve got a Game Boy or a BlackBerry, you might want to bring it along,” Washburne said.
Washburne also encouraged voters to carpool, if possible. Parking may be an issue during peak hours at certain precincts, he said.
Voters are reminded to not wear any political paraphernalia at the polls. A newly clarified state law bans any election buttons, T-shirts, hats or other apparel inside voting precincts.
The weather today is expected to be rainy, with showers likely in the morning and continuing with steady rain through the afternoon and evening. So don’t forget your brolly.