Election Day offers local voters familiar choices

By Gracie Hart
Review Staff Writer
Published: October 30, 2008

Millions of American citizens will flock to the polls Nov. 4 to vote for the next leader of the nation.  Whether the country goes red or blue, it is important for all citizens to be knowledgeable about the election process before casting their ballot.
According to the Virginia Board of Elections, 3,223,156 Virginians voted in the last presidential election in 2004, with 13,106 of them casting ballots in Orange County.  Currently, there are 5,021,993 Virginians registered to vote in the upcoming election, with 436,155 of those having registered since Jan. 1. 
According to the Orange County Registrar’s office, over 21,000 county residents have registered to vote, up 15 percent from the 18,362 registered by the last presidential election.
Participation in this year’s election is expected to be record-breaking. In the last presidential election more than 71 percent of county voters participated.
Already, the Orange County Registrar’s office has mailed 678 absentee ballots, emailed six and has had 506 people vote in-person.
Orange County voters will see a pretty simple ballot.
They will choose between one of six presidential candidates: Barack Obama (Democrat), John McCain (Republican), Chuck Baldwin (Independent Green), Bob Barr (Libertarian), Cynthia McKinney (Green) and Ralph Nader (Independent).
They will also choose between four senate candidates: Mark Warner (Democrat), Jim Gilmore (Republican), Gail Parker (Independent Green) and William Redpath (Libertarian).
Voters in Orange County and across the seventh congressional district, will select between Anita Hartke (Democrat) and Eric Cantor (Republican).
Gordonsville residents will choose a mayor and three council members. 
Robert Coiner is seeking a second term as mayor.  His current term expires in December.  Coiner, born in Gordonsville, is the father of two college-age daughters and holds a degree in accounting.  For Coiner, the big issue is the budget.
“Problems arise out of people not keeping control of their budget,“ he said.  “If managing your budget, you can then pick what to do according to what’s best for citizens.“
Coiner is also concerned about the library, boundary adjustments and general growth issues.  According to him, the key thing with growth is to keep it consistent with Gordonsville and its values.
Coiner has attended training for mayors, is on the Virginia Municipal League and has developed a network of legislators and fellow mayors, among other things.
“It seems silly to quit just when you’ve geared up,“ he said.  “I feel exceptionally qualified.“
Incumbents Theresa Lewis and Avis Beasley join newcomer Maranacci Wilson in seeking town council seats.
Lewis is no stranger to government, having worked for 40 years in federal, state and local government.  She is currently employed with the Albemarle County Social Services Department and lives in Gordonsville. 
For Lewis, the key issue is the economy and trying to do what is best for the citizens.  She is also concerned for the elderly population.
“It takes a while to know who you are working with and what the structure of the government is so the next time will allow me to get more into the issues,“ she said.  “By returning to office if re-elected, it will be built on my faith which is built on trust which is built on integrity.
“I have a lot of faith and love for family and community,“ she said.
Avis Beasley, a single parent of two daughters, a grandmother of two, and a former member of the air force has lived in Gordonsville her entire life.
For Beasley, the key issues are the housing market and problems with water.  According to Beasley, there are lots of proposed new developments and Gordonsville needs affordable housing.
When asked why she was running for re-election, she said: “It takes time to get stuff done.  We have a good working relationship.“
Although she may be new to council, Maranacci Wilson is not new to Gordonsville.  The certified medical assistant and mother has lived in Orange all of her life.
The key issue for her is the youth.
“Older youth need something to do in the community to keep them from getting into trouble,“ she said.
Wilson’s grandfather ran for council over 40 years ago. 
“I felt like I could make a difference in my community,“ she said about running for office.  “My grandfather tried for council in the 1960s but didn’t win.“
All the Gordonsville candidates are running unopposed.
The elected council members will join current vice-mayor Robert Hall and council members Brenda Watkins and Peter Zahn, whose terms expire in 2010.
According to Gloria Gilmore of the Orange County Electoral Board, polls will be open in Orange County from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. and are being staffed with a sufficient number of trained officials. 
Voters must show proper identification to cast their vote.  Acceptable forms of identification include: a current and valid photo ID, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document.  If a voter cannot provide acceptable identification, they will be required to use a provisional ballot.
Also, state law prohibits voters from wearing, exhibiting or displaying any campaign materials while inside the voting location. 
“This is enforced,“ said Gilmore.  “Don’t wear these things.  If you do, make sure it isn’t viewable to others and don’t leave literature in the precinct.  Take it with you.“
The polling place for District 1 West is the (new) Barboursville Firehouse.  District 1 West includes the county’s western section, divided by Route 231. Primarily, it also includes the area north of Route 20 from Somerset to the town of Orange.
Residents of the town of Gordonsville are in District 1 East and vote at the Gordonsville Town Hall.
District 2, a large geographic tract that is bordered on the west by Route 231, to the north by Route 20 and to the east by Route 522, is divided into two precincts as well.
District 2 West-west of Monrovia Road-votes at the Gordonsville Firehouse District 2 East-east of Monrovia Road-votes at Lightfoot Elementary School.
District 3 largely incorporates the town of Orange. However, the district also extends east to Route 522 and is bordered to the north by the county line. The polling place for District 3 has been moved to Prospect Heights Middle School. District 3 voters no longer vote at the Orange Volunteer Fire House.
District 4 is the county’s largest geographic district. It is bordered on the west by Route 522 and by the county line on both the north and the south. It even wraps around Lake of the Woods and District 5 to include the eastern side of Route 3.
District 4 West-south of Route 20-votes at Unionville Elementary School. District 4 East-north of Route 20-votes at Locust Grove Elementary School.
District 5, which includes the Lake of the Woods community, is divided into two precincts to accommodate the growing electorate.  District 5 West votes at the LOW Church and District 5 East votes at the LOW Clubhouse.
Any voter with questions about their appropriate polling place or about voting by absentee ballot is encouraged to contact the registrar’s office at 672-5262. The registrar’s office is open Saturday, Nov. 4 to accept absentee ballots.
If you are unsure about where to vote or have questions concerning the voting process, contact the local registrar’s office at 672-5262 or go online to the Virginia State Board of Elections at http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/.