One of the best reasons to get out and vote on Nov. 4 is that the entire system and calendar of local elections is designed to keep voters at home.
New voters must register by Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at 5 p.m. in order to vote in the Nov. 4, 2003 General Election.
Any Virginia resident who is a U.S. citizen and will be 18 years old by Nov. 4 can and should register and vote. High school seniors who may be able to vote for the first time should bring a small fraction of the enthusiasm they have for the milestone of driving to their first vote.
HOW TO REGISTER
In person, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday at the Fairfax County General Registrar's Office, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, Call 703-222-0776 or 703-324-4700 for 24-hour recorded information
By mail, pick up a Virginia Voter Registration Application at public libraries, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, Military recruitment offices, District Governmental Centers, Board of Supervisors Offices, citizen information desk in the County Government Center lobby, Judicial Center information desk.
Mail the application to Office of the General Registrar, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035-0081
WHERE TO VOTE
The voter information card mailed to each voter lists the name and address of the assigned polling place. Call 703-222-0776 with questions about where to vote on election day.
<36hd>Preparing for Emergencies.
<bt>While some people certainly were conscientious, and some compulsive, about calls for preparation for homeland security, many others have done little in the way of emergency preparedness.
But here’s an emergency and a level of inconvenience anyone can relate to. Recent relatively routine thunderstorms left some people without power for more than four days. What havoc will the possible leftovers of a hurricane wreak on electricity and other services? Local families should have on hand whatever they need to get by for a day or two (or possibly more) without power.
It’s a scenario we can envision and prepare for.
<sh>Questions, Comments Welcome
<bt>Readers’ questions for candidates, comments on Connection coverage or any local issue are always welcome. Many questions for candidates suggested by readers have been incorporated in questionnaires currently being sent out.
<1b>—Mary Kimm
<lst>mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com