Before You Venture Out to Vote

When are the polls open?

Polls will be open today in Virginia from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Maryland and the District, they will be open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

How do I find my polling place and verify that I am registered to vote?

In Virginia, go to http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms.

In Maryland, go to http://www.elections.state.md.us.

In the District, go to http://www.dcboee.org.

What's the weather going to be like?

Forecasters are calling for a cloudy morning with light rain moving in during the afternoon. But as of yesterday, they were not sure how quickly the rain would hit the region. "Some of the [models] we use suggest the rain will move in and rain all afternoon, and others suggest it will hold off until tomorrow night," said Brian Lasorsa, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "There's still a little bit of uncertainty."

If I'm in line to vote when the polls close, will I be able to cast my ballot?

Yes. Even if the line is several hours long, you'll be able to vote if you were there by the time the polls close.

Are there certain times of day when lines are expected to be shorter?

Officials are urging people to vote between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so they miss the before- and after-work rushes. But even then the lines might be long because of high interest in the election and an increase in registered voters. The Prince William County general registrar offers this advice: Wear comfortable shoes.