Locust Dale, Virginia Public Records

Additionally, the town's proximity to larger industrial hubs has attracted select light manufacturing operations, further contributing to the area's economic self-sufficiency and employment opportunities.

The safety and security of Locust Dale's residents are entrusted to the Locust Dale Police Department, headquartered at 25 Jefferson Avenue. This dedicated team of law enforcement professionals works tirelessly to ensure the well-being of the community through proactive policing and community engagement initiatives. In addition, the Madison County Sheriff's Office, based at 30 Washington Boulevard, plays a vital role in overseeing law enforcement across the broader region, including the operational aspects of the Madison County Jail, where detained individuals are held.

Locust Dale voters are served by the Madison County Office of the General Registrar and Electoral Board, located at 1 N. Main Street, Madison, VA 22727 (in the Madison County Government Center), phone (540) 948-6926. The office's website is accessible through www.madisoncountyva.gov/elections. This office administers all aspects of voter registration, election operations, and absentee voting for Locust Dale residents and all Madison County voters. Virginia residents can register to vote online through the Virginia Department of Elections at www.elections.virginia.gov/registration, and the deadline to register for any election is 22 days before Election Day. Voters must provide their Social Security number, date of birth, and Virginia street address; DMV identification number is helpful but not required for registration. Virginia offers same-day registration during the early voting period. Locust Dale, being unincorporated, has no municipal elections for mayor or town council; residents vote in county, state, and federal elections only.

Madison County holds elections for the Board of Supervisors, with three supervisor districts representing different geographic areas of the county; Locust Dale falls within one of these districts. County supervisor elections are held on a staggered schedule with four-year terms. Locust Dale voters can find their assigned polling location by using the Virginia Department of Elections polling place locator at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov or by contacting the Madison County Registrar's office. The typical polling place for much of the Locust Dale area is the Locust Dale Volunteer Fire Department, though assignments can change and voters should verify their specific location before each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Madison County reported approximately 70-73% voter turnout, with roughly 5,200 registered voters and approximately 3,700-3,800 ballots cast, reflecting strong civic engagement in this rural county.

Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Locust Dale and Madison County voters will decide several significant races. Virginia will hold elections for all 100 seats in the House of Delegates (Virginia's lower legislative chamber), as delegate terms are two years, and this will include the delegate representing Madison County in the 18th or 31st House District (depending on current redistricting). While Virginia's U.S. Senate seats are not up in 2026 (Virginia's senators serve six-year terms with elections in 2024 and 2028), and the Governor's race is in 2025 (off-year), the 2026 ballot will feature congressional races for Virginia's U.S. House of Representatives seat covering Madison County (currently the 5th Congressional District), along with potential county-level offices such as Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, Clerk of Circuit Court (if the term expires), and Board of Supervisors seats on their regular cycle. School Board members may also appear on the ballot depending on term schedules. Virginia election records that are publicly accessible include voter registration lists (available by precinct for political campaign use under Virginia Code § 24.2-405), campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees (searchable at www.elections.virginia.gov/campaign-finance), candidate filings and petition information, and precinct-level election results published by the Virginia Department of Elections and the Madison County Registrar. Absentee voting in Virginia is available without excuse; any registered voter may vote by mail. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online at www.elections.virginia.gov/absentee-voting, and applications must be received by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before Election Day (or by 2:00 PM on the Saturday before Election Day for in-person absentee ballot pickup). Early in-person voting is available at the Madison County Registrar's office beginning 45 days before any election and continuing through the Saturday before Election Day.