To the polls
Early voting for the November general election starts September 20. Besides the presidential election, Charlottesville-area ballots will include a number of congressional and local races.
Early in-person voting runs through November 2 statewide, with hours set by local registrar offices. Saturday voting is available across the commonwealth on October 26 and November 2.
For day-of and by-mail voters, there are several key deadlines in the weeks to come: The last day to register to vote or update an existing registration is October 15, and the deadline to request a ballot is October 25. Same-day registration is also available in Virginia, allowing voters to cast a provisional ballot through Election Day.
Charlottesville will have a new congressional representative in 2025. Fifth district incumbent Bob Good was primaried by state Sen. John McGuire in a tumultuous race that McGuire narrowly won earlier this year. He will face off against Democrat Gloria Witt for the seat, with pollsters predicting the conservative will win the red-leaning district.
In the U.S. Senate, Tim Kaine is seeking a third term in office against challenger Hung Cao. The incumbent is heavily favored to win reelection.
More information on local elections and in-person voting hours can be found at elections.va.gov.
(Some) cases closed
Cole McNair was sentenced to serve 24 months (with all but six suspended) in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting two women on the Rivanna Trail on May 12. Local law enforcement continues to investigate other incidents in the area.
Since June 11, McNair, 23, has been in custody on charges of sexual battery and assault and battery. The Charlottesville resident pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery and assault and battery on September 12, two weeks before his trial was scheduled to begin.
Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell also sentenced McNair to a year of supervised probation. Under the conditions of his sentencing, McNair can have no contact with the victims and must undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations.
While he’s been convicted for the May 12 incidents, law enforcement does not believe McNair is responsible for other assaults in the area. Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania told The Daily Progress that McNair “is not a suspect or person of interest in the other Rivanna Trail Cases.”
Machete arrest
Police have arrested a man in connection with the September 11 machete attack in the area of U.S. 29 and Myers Drive. Frank Baldwin, 51, has been charged with felony malicious wounding, and is being held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. The victim reportedly knew Baldwin, and is now stable after receiving life-threatening injuries in the attack.
Good for business
The Minority Business Alliance has named Khalilah Jones as its 2024 John F. Bell Sr. Vanguard Award recipient. In addition to owning Chic and Classy Image Consulting, Jones is also a co-founder of the annual Soul of Cville festival and serves on the board of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. She will formally receive the award at the Harlem Nights Black Tie Gala on September 27.
Pit stop
As of September 16, the DMV Select Office in the City Treasurer’s Office at Charlottesville City Hall is operational. The satellite office is open weekdays from 8:30am to 4:15pm, and offers services including vehicle titles and registrations, license plates, and transcript requests. While the office might be convenient, certain services—including license and permit renewals—are not available at the DMV Select location.