Selma, Virginia Public Records

The bond and bail process in Virginia allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and individuals can find information about recently arrested persons through the Sheriff's Office or the jail's administrative office.

Additionally, the town's proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the abundant natural resources in Alleghany County contribute to a thriving tourism industry that benefits local businesses and residents.

Public safety in Selma is primarily overseen by the Selma Police Department, which works diligently to ensure the security and well-being of local residents. In addition, the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office plays a crucial role in law enforcement across the county, handling various public safety responsibilities. For those seeking information on arrest records, mugshots, booking records, or criminal history, the process involves contacting the Selma Police Department directly to inquire about local police records. The Alleghany County Sheriff's Office can also provide additional resources and assistance if needed.

Selma, Virginia voters are served by the Alleghany County Office of Voter Registration and Elections, located in the Alleghany County Government Center at 9212 Winterberry Avenue, Suite D, Covington, VA 24426. The office can be reached at (540) 965-1685, and information is available through the Alleghany County government website. The Registrar oversees all aspects of voter registration, election administration, absentee voting, and precinct operations for the county's residents, including those in Selma. Virginia residents can register to vote online through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/, which allows new registrations, address updates, and checking registration status. Voter registration in Virginia requires U.S. citizenship, Virginia residency, and being at least 18 years old by the next general election. The deadline to register for an election is 22 days before Election Day. Virginia participates in online voter registration, requiring either a Virginia DMV-issued ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number.

As an unincorporated community, Selma has no municipal government and therefore does not hold city council or mayoral elections. Selma residents vote in county, state, and federal elections. Alleghany County is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors representing geographic districts; supervisor elections are held on a staggered schedule, with some seats on the ballot in different election cycles. The county also elects constitutional officers including Sheriff, Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Commonwealth's Attorney.

Selma residents can find their assigned polling place by using the Virginia Department of Elections polling place lookup tool at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/ by entering their address. Precinct assignments are based on residential address, and voters must vote at their assigned precinct on Election Day. The Alleghany County Registrar's office can also provide polling place information by phone.

Virginia's public election records include voter registration lists (available to candidates and parties with restrictions on use), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections and accessible at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/candidatepac-info/campaign-finance/, candidate filings and petition certifications, and precinct-level election results published after each election. The Virginia Department of Elections publishes comprehensive election results by locality and precinct on its website following certification.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Alleghany County voters participated in choosing Virginia's 13 electoral votes. Alleghany County historically trends Republican in presidential elections. Specific turnout data for the 2024 election can be obtained from the Virginia Department of Elections' official results portal, with county-level turnout typically ranging between 60-70% of registered voters in presidential election years.

On November 3, 2026, Selma and Alleghany County voters will decide several important races. Virginia does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026 (the next Governor's race is in 2025). However, 2026 is a federal midterm election year. Virginia's U.S. Senate seats are both on six-year cycles; in 2026, voters will not elect a U.S. Senator unless a special election is called. All 11 Virginia U.S. House seats are up for election every two years, and Selma voters will elect their representative for Virginia's 6th Congressional District. The Virginia General Assembly does not hold elections in 2026; all 100 House of Delegates seats and all 40 Senate seats were last elected in 2023 and 2025 respectively. County-level races may include constitutional officers if their terms expire in 2026. Voters should check with the Alleghany County Registrar for the specific offices on the 2026 ballot.

Virginia offers absentee voting by mail and early in-person voting. Any registered voter may vote absentee by mail without providing an excuse, under Virginia's no-excuse absentee voting law. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal, by mail, or in person at the Alleghany County Registrar's office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 11 days before Election Day (5:00 PM). Completed 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 registrar's office by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Early in-person voting (called "in-person absentee voting" in Virginia) is available at the registrar's office beginning 45 days before the election and ending the Saturday before Election Day.