By Taylor Boyd and Jessica Dillon
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to cast ballots for the 2025 general election.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and all voters must go to their assigned precincts on Election Day.
As of late afternoon Tuesday, Oct. 28, Henry County Registrar Dawn Stultz-Vaughn said 4,603 early votes had been cast, with 1,031 mail-in ballots received. As of the same day, Martinsville Registrar Sara Workman said 865 early in-person votes had been cast.
To vote in person on Nov. 4, Stultz-Vaughn said voters must bring an acceptable form of identification, such as a driver’s license, electricity bill, passport, or U.S. military ID.
“Anything that corroborates your name and your address,” she said.
A full list of accepted identification can be found on the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Voters in the Fieldale area are reminded that their new polling place is the Fieldale School Apartments Auditorium, not Victory Baptist Church.
Henry County races
Local contests for Henry County include Board of Supervisors and School Board seats for the Blackberry, Collinsville, and Iriswood districts, as well as a special election for the Horsepasture District School Board seat.
Incumbent Jim Adams is seeking another term as Blackberry supervisor against Ray Reynolds. Joe Bryant is seeking his fourth term as Collinsville supervisor against Chris Lawless. Their profiles are published inside.
Garrett Dillard is unopposed in seeking another term as Iriswood supervisor.
For the school board, Sherry Vestal and Jonathan Martin are seeking the Blackberry seat. Benjamin “Ben” Gravely is unopposed in his bid as Iriswood representative, and Cherie Whitlow is seeking the Collinsville District seat. Valeria Edwards is unopposed in seeking her first full term for the Horsepasture District.
Martinsville races
Local contests in Martinsville include the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Commissioner of Revenue, and Treasurer positions.
Patrick Flinn and Lynda Hartsell are seeking the Martinsville Commonwealth’s Attorney position.
“In the closing days of this election, I would like to thank everyone who showed up to the fantastic events and forums that our community leaders hosted for us,” Flinn said. “I have enjoyed meeting and talking with each and every one of you. Thank you for listening and engaging with this important election process. Your involvement is what makes our system of government work.
“We have talked a lot about experience and qualifications. I am the candidate who has jury trial experience and knows what the people of Martinsville who sit in the jury box expect to see. I have a plan for the office that starts on day one, which includes modernizing the office, bringing new programs to Martinsville such as a Mental Health docket, and making sure the community is informed and understands what their Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is doing. I ask for your vote to be your next Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Martinsville. Thank you,” he said.
Hartsell said, “Seven jury trials lost in a row is not learning. It is incompetence. Victims deserve better than excuses. I am running to restore accountability and results for Martinsville.”
Commissioner of Revenue
Incumbent Ruth Easley is seeking another term as Commissioner of Revenue, challenged by Shasta Carmichael.
“It has been my honor to serve the citizens of Martinsville as your Commissioner of the Revenue for the past 24 years, providing innovative services while carefully safeguarding customer information in an efficient and respectful manner,” Easley said. “I have provided consistent and transparent leadership during turbulent times. Now, more than ever, experience matters to get the city back on track to being the great place to live, work and play we deserve! I ask for your vote on November 4th to continue to build on this tradition of integrity, service, and trust.”
Carmichael said, “Change makes sense — because when we modernize how we serve, simplify the process, and treat people right, ALL of Martinsville wins. When I walk in that office, every person will know they’re seen, valued, and welcome — no business turned away, no person left behind.”
Treasurer
Interim Treasurer Sheila Clark is seeking her first full term against Kendall Davis.
Clark said, “I have proudly contributed in numerous capacities, including fulfilling essential duties in the absence of the Treasurer. My role has allowed me to gain deep institutional knowledge and a strong understanding of the responsibilities required to serve our community with integrity.”
“This isn’t about politics, it’s about performance,” Davis said. “The Treasurer’s Office needs leadership that embraces innovation and focuses on service. My goal is simple: to make paying taxes easier, faster, and fairer for everyone in Martinsville.”
State races
For the 48th District of the House of Delegates, incumbent Eric Phillips, R-Martinsville, faces Melody Cartwright, a Martinsville democrat.
“No one works harder for the 48th District than I do. I’ve helped secure millions of dollars in state funding for our area, co-sponsored and passed legislation to lower power bills that will take effect this winter, and consistently advocated for and voted to uphold the values shared by the vast majority of people in our district.
“I’m just getting started. I look forward to continuing the hard work of ensuring Southern Virginia receives its fair share while moving our region forward — with higher wages, better jobs, improved infrastructure, affordable healthcare and housing, and strong support for all of our public safety agencies,” Phillips said. “It would be an honor to continue serving the 48th District as your Delegate. I respectfully ask for your vote so we can keep moving our region forward — together.”
Cartwright said, “If elected, I will be in the majority in the Virginia House of Delegates, which means I can actually pass bills for our people in District 48. Also, I will join others on the front line to protect against attacks on our education, healthcare, and other crucial issues in the Commonwealth.
“The incumbent, Delegate Phillips, was in the minority this past session, and by all stats, he will remain there. As he has already confessed, he ‘didn’t get many bills passed,’ and he won’t be able to again. Vote your voice, not party line,” she said.
Other statewide races include the governor’s contest between Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Ghazala Hashmi and John J. Reid II are seeking the lieutenant governor position. Attorney General Jason Miyares is seeking a second term against Jay Jones.
