Thaxton, Virginia Public Records

Virginia residents can register to vote online at www.elections.virginia.gov/registration using the state's Citizen Portal, or they can submit paper applications to the county Registrar. To register in Virginia, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, residents of Virginia and Bedford County, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not currently declared mentally incapacitated by a court or convicted of a felony unless rights have been restored. The voter registration deadline is 22 days before any election. Virginia does not require party registration, and voters may update their registration online if they move within Bedford County or change their name. As an unincorporated community, Thaxton does not hold municipal elections for mayor or town council. Residents participate in Bedford County, state, and federal elections instead. The county is governed by a six-member Board of Supervisors elected from single-member districts, with each supervisor serving four-year staggered terms. The community falls within one of these supervisor districts. County elections also include the Sheriff, Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer, Commonwealth's Attorney, and Clerk of the Circuit Court, all elected to four-year terms. School Board members are also elected. Residents can find their assigned polling place by using the Virginia Department of Elections polling place lookup tool at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterpollinglocation. Voters enter their name and date of birth or their full address to view their precinct assignment, polling location address, and hours, which are typically 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Election Day. Sample ballots are also available through this portal before elections. Area voters typically cast ballots at precincts located in local schools or community buildings depending on their specific address. Virginia's voter registration records are public under Virginia Code § 24.2-444, and lists can be requested from the Registrar's office, though personal information such as social security numbers is redacted. Voter history, which elections a person voted in, but not how they voted, is also public record. Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are filed with and searchable through the Virginia Department of Elections at www.elections.virginia.gov/candidatepac-info/campaign-finance. Election results by precinct are published by the county Registrar after certification and are available on the Bedford County website, showing vote totals for all candidates and ballot measures. The county has historically leaned Republican in presidential and statewide elections, though voter preferences vary by precinct and race. This election will include races for all 11 Virginia congressional districts (U.S. House of Representatives), as Virginia does not have a U.S.Current federal, state, and local election schedules, ballot contests, candidate filings, and certified results for Thaxton voters are published by the Virginia Department of Elections (https://www.elections.virginia.gov/). Virginia state elections in 2026 will likely be off-year local elections only, as the Governor's race was in 2025 and the House of Delegates and State Senate were last elected in 2023. County voters will decide local constitutional officer positions if any terms expire in 2026, and potentially Board of Supervisors seats depending on district rotation. Voters should check with the county Registrar in early 2026 for the specific races on their ballot. Virginia offers no-excuse absentee voting, meaning any registered voter may vote absentee by mail or in-person without providing a reason. In-person absentee voting is available at the county Registrar's office beginning 45 days before Election Day and ending the Saturday before Election Day. To vote absentee by mail, voters must submit an application (available at www.elections.virginia.gov or from the Registrar's office) at least seven days before Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the Registrar by 7:00 PM on Election Day - postmark is not sufficient. Virginia requires voters to provide identification when voting in person, with acceptable IDs including Virginia driver's license, U.S. Passport, government-issued photo ID, employer-issued photo ID, student ID from a Virginia college, voter photo ID card, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck showing the voter's name and address.