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For the first and only time this fall, both candidates in the 5th District congressional race will be in one spot later this week. Republican John McGuire and Democrat Gloria Witt will both take part in the candidate forum, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17 at Hampden-Sydney College. 

The two are competing to fill the seat currently held by Republican Bob Good in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both will be answering questions written by Hampden-Sydney students on Thursday, as part of the forum. 

Dr. Richard Pantele, dean of students for Hampden-Sydney, will moderate the debate. Residents can sit in and watch the debate in person, as it will be held at Hampden-Sydney’s Johns Auditorium. There are one hundred seats available to the public on a first-come, first serve basis. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the debate will begin at 6 p.m. 

Voting in the 5th District 

So how did we get to this point? Both candidates went through the primary process, but it was an extended version on the Republican side. Good refused to accept the primary results, calling for and eventually getting a recount. That didn’t help him too much. McGuire won the recount with 31,586 votes to incumbent Rep. Bob Good’s 31,216. Meanwhile on the Democratic side, Witt collected 57% of the vote in a three-way primary back in June. 

Looking beyond Thursday’s forum, if you already know who you plan to vote for, you don’t have to wait until November. Here in Charlotte County, early voting is available for all residents at the registrar’s office, located at 420 Thomas Jefferson Highway. It’s open from Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Then it’s also open on two upcoming Saturdays, October 26 & November 2, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

One more important date to remember. Friday, October 25 is the deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you. Requests must be received in the Voter Registration Office by 5 p.m. on that date. 

Order has no impact 

We’ve also had people ask about Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 35 and how, if at all, it would change the way elections are held this fall in Charlotte County. The answer to that one, as we explained in more detail back in August, is no. EO35 calls for 100% paper ballots, providing a physical record of the voter’s intent. It requires counties to use paper ballot counting machines, rather than computerized voting machines. Youngkin’s order calls for a strict chain of custody for ballots, where people are able to identify who had them at all times. Also, counting machines can’t be connected to the internet and must be tested before every election. Drop boxes must be under 24/7 monitoring and in order to get a mail ballot, you have to send in an application. 

But as we mentioned, that won’t change anything here in Charlotte County, or most of the Commonwealth for that matter. Virginia already uses all paper ballots. The Commonwealth also phased out all touch screen voting in 2017. Also, despite what is showing up on social media, the executive order does not say all ballots will be hand counted, only that paper ballot counting machines will be used, as mentioned above. 

As far as a local impact goes, back in August Charlotte County’s registrar explained that nothing will change because the county already follows all those rules. 

“The practices listed in the Governor’s order have been in place since I started in March of 2022,” said Charlotte County Registrar Jenni Booth. “As Registrar, I work jointly with the Electoral Board to oversee each election, working together to make sure all practices are followed accordingly.  Ballot security, accountability, transparency, and voter integrity are all important issues within our County, and we strive to make sure all Elections Laws and the Virginia State Code are followed. The order as presented doesn’t change or impact anything we are currently doing.”