Reston voters will find five ballot questions waiting for them on Nov. 3, on top of races for U.S. Senate and Congress.

Two Fairfax County bond referendums totaling $255 million and three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution make this a longer ballot than many expect. The deadline to register to vote or request a mail-in ballot is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

Two county bond questions

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted on June 23 to place two bond measures before voters, according to FFXnow.

Parks bond — $180 million. A "yes" vote would let the county borrow up to $180 million to buy parkland, preserve open space, build new facilities and upgrade existing ones. The money would fund $89 million in recreation center improvements and $51 million in deferred capital renovations, according to a county staff memo cited by FFXnow. New amenities could include playgrounds, a skatepark, trails and splash pads.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) manages 424 parks and more than 340 miles of trails, according to the county's bond page. One project tied to the bond: a planned renovation of the inclusive Clemyjontri playground in McLean, where equipment built in 2006 is nearing the end of its life cycle, FFXnow reported.

Health services bond — $75 million. A "yes" vote would let the county borrow up to $75 million to build, expand or renovate health care and human services facilities. The bond includes $35 million for the Joanne Jorgenson Public Health Laboratory and $40 million for the Tim Harmon Campus in Chantilly, which provides residential substance-use and behavioral health services, according to FFXnow.

A "no" vote on either bond would reject the new borrowing but would not cancel bonds voters previously approved.

Three constitutional amendments

Virginia's Democratic-led General Assembly passed all three amendment proposals in 2025 and again in 2026, sending them to voters for ratification, according to VPM. If approved, each takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, according to 29 News.

Question 1 — Reproductive freedom. Would add constitutional protections for decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, birth control, abortion and fertility care. The state could still restrict third-trimester abortions, with exceptions when a doctor determines the patient's health is at risk or the fetus is not viable.

Question 2 — Marriage equality. Would remove Virginia's 2006 constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which has been unenforceable since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. The amendment would affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender or race.

Question 3 — Voting rights. Would establish a fundamental right to vote in the state constitution and automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies upon release from prison. Under current law, only the governor can restore those rights. Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she supports the change. "I look forward to giving up that authority via this constitutional amendment," Spanberger told WRIC on Sept. 21.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told 29 News the amendments reflect Democratic lawmakers' concern about potential future changes at the federal level.

Federal races

In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Sen. Mark Warner (D) faces Republican Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army major general. Reston falls in the 11th Congressional District, where incumbent U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D) faces Republican Arthur Purves and Green Party candidate Dianne L. Blais, according to Patch.

How to vote

Early voting is underway. The North County Governmental Center at 1801 Cameron Glen Drive in Reston is open for early voting Monday through Friday, 1 to 7 p.m., with Saturday hours on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday hours on Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 (noon to 5 p.m.). The Herndon Fortnightly Library at 768 Center St. opens for early voting Oct. 22.

In-person early voting ends Oct. 31. On Election Day, polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and completed mail-in ballots must arrive by 7 p.m.