Fincastle, Virginia Public Records

In Virginia, the bond and bail process allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on recent arrests can be obtained by contacting the jail directly or through online resources provided by the Sheriff's Office.

The Virginia Bureau of Investigation also offers resources for Botetourt residents seeking comprehensive criminal history information, ensuring transparency and accessibility in the criminal justice system.

The Botetourt County Department of Economic Development works closely with businesses and entrepreneurs to foster economic growth, providing resources and support for those looking to establish or expand their operations in Fincastle and the broader county.

Public safety in Fincastle is primarily the responsibility of the Fincastle Police Department, which serves as the town's dedicated law enforcement agency. This department handles a variety of duties, from responding to emergency calls and conducting investigations to enforcing local ordinances and traffic laws. Residents seeking access to police reports, arrest records, or other law enforcement-related documents can submit requests directly to the Fincastle Police Department. For more extensive law enforcement services, the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office also plays a crucial role, overseeing the county jail and providing support for larger-scale incidents or operations.

The department also maintains public records related to the county's land use regulations, property assessments, and development projects, providing valuable information for businesses evaluating potential locations.

Fincastle voters are served by the Botetourt County Office of Voter Registration and Elections, located at 5 West Main Street, Suite 105, Fincastle, VA 24090, phone (540) 473-8265, website www.botetourtva.gov/voter-registration. This office administers all elections for Fincastle and Botetourt County residents, including federal, state, county, and town elections, maintains voter registration records, processes absentee ballot applications, certifies election results, and provides polling place information. Virginia residents can register to vote online through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizens Portal at www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal. The voter registration deadline is 22 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Virginia residents, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court or convicted of a felony (unless civil rights have been restored). Valid forms of identification include a Virginia driver's license number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, or a copy of acceptable photo ID.

The Town of Fincastle holds municipal elections for Mayor and Town Council members. The Mayor serves a four-year term, and council members serve staggered four-year terms, with elections typically held in May of odd-numbered years concurrent with other Virginia local elections. The next regular Fincastle town elections will be held in May 2025 and May 2027. Candidate filings and local ballot measures for town elections are managed through the Town of Fincastle office at 107 East Back Street in coordination with the county electoral board. Since Fincastle is an incorporated town, residents vote in both town elections and county-level elections for Board of Supervisors representatives, constitutional officers (Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, Clerk of Circuit Court, Commonwealth's Attorney), and school board members.

Fincastle residents can look up their assigned polling place, sample ballot, and election information through the Virginia Department of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal or by contacting the Botetourt County Elections Office. Polling places are assigned based on residential address and precinct boundaries. In the November 2024 presidential election, Botetourt County reported approximately 64% voter turnout, with roughly 14,000 of the county's 22,000 registered voters casting ballots, reflecting strong civic engagement in this conservative-leaning rural Virginia county.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Fincastle and Botetourt County voters will decide several significant races. Virginia does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026 (the next Governor's race is in 2025), but all 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and all 40 seats in the Virginia State Senate will be on the ballot, as Virginia holds legislative elections in odd-numbered years following the gubernatorial election. In 2026, federal races will include one of Virginia's two U.S. Senate seats (Senator Mark Warner's seat is up in 2026), Virginia's 6th Congressional District U.S. House seat (which includes Botetourt County), and potentially county-level constitutional officers depending on the election cycle. Local races may include Botetourt County Board of Supervisors seats, school board positions, and town council seats for Fincastle if scheduled for that cycle.

Virginia election records that are public include voter registration lists (available to candidates, political parties, and certain authorized requesters under Code of Virginia § 24.2-405, with restrictions on commercial use), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees (searchable through the Virginia Department of Elections at www.elections.virginia.gov), candidate filings and statements of qualification, official election results by precinct (available through the State Board of Elections and local registrars), and electoral board minutes. Botetourt County precinct-level results are published on the county elections website following certification.

Virginia offers several options for absentee voting. Any registered voter may vote by mail with an absentee ballot without providing an excuse. Applications can be submitted online through the Citizen Portal at www.elections.virginia.gov, by mail, email, or fax to the Botetourt County Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 5 West Main Street, Suite 105, Fincastle, VA 24090, fax (540) 473-8371, email elections@botetourtva.gov. The application deadline is 11 days before the election (5:00 PM). Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received by noon the third day after the election) or delivered in person to the elections office by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Virginia also offers early in-person absentee voting beginning 45 days before the election at the Voter Registration Office, allowing voters to cast ballots in person during an extended period before Election Day. No excuse or justification is required for any form of absentee voting in Virginia.