Early voting starts Sept. 20; here's who's on the ballot in Franklin County

As early voting begins on Friday, here is a look at what is on the ballot in Franklin County.

All Virginians will cast ballots for president and U.S. Senate and will have the chance to weigh in on a statewide referendum regarding a proposed tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a soldier who died in the line of duty.

Friday is the first day to vote in-person at local registrar's offices in Virginia. The Franklin County registrar's office is located at 1255 Franklin St., Suite 106, in Rocky Mount. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The phone number is 540-483-3025.

Voters have until Oct. 15 to register to vote or change their registration in the Nov. 5 general election.

Voters have until close of business on Oct. 25 to request an absentee mail-in ballot. Voters may return those absentee ballots by mail or at secure drop boxes at designated locations early or at their regular voting precincts on Election Day. For more information, visit https://www.franklincountyva.gov/451/Voter-Registrar

The candidates for president are Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee; former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee; Jill Stein of the Green Party; Libertarian Chase Oliver; independent Claudia De la Cruz and independent Cornel West.

The candidates for U.S. Senate are Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Republican Hung Cao. 

The statewide ballot question is whether the state Constitution should be amended so that a tax exemption that is currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action is also available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty.

Currently, the Virginia Constitution allows the General Assembly to exempt from taxation the principal place of residence of the surviving spouse of any soldier the U.S. Department of Defense determines to have been killed in action. The proposed amendment would expand this tax exemption to all surviving spouses of soldiers the U.S. Department of Defense determines to have died in the line of duty.

U.S. House race

In the 9th Congressional District, which includes all of Franklin County, Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, faces Democrat Karen Baker, a retired judge, lawyer and nurse who lives in Floyd County.

Here is what else is on the ballot locally.

Boones Mill

Mayor

Candidates in the election for mayor are, in alphabetical order:

• Victor E. Conner

• Donald F. "Whitey" Taylor.

Town Council uncontested races

• Emilee Conner

• Sam Calhoun

• Dale Fisher

Rocky Mount

Town Council uncontested races

• Tyler Lee

• Lucas Tuning

• Mark Newbill