TURNOUT OUT IN VIRGINIA’S ELECTION ON TUESDAY IS PREDICTED TO BE LOW. THE REASON – IT’S AN OFF-YEAR ELECTION, MEANING THERE ARE NO STATEWIDE OR CONGRESSIONAL RACES TO DRIVE VOTER INTEREST. VIRGINIANS WILL DECIDE ALL 140 LEGISLATIVE SEATS IN AN ELECTION THAT WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS RETAIN POWER IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR WHETHER GOVERNOR TIM KAINE, A DEMOCRAT, GETS A LEGISLATURE FRIENDLIER TO HIS AGENDA. VOTERS WILL ALSO CHOOSE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, INCLUDING SUPERVISORS AND SHERIFFS. OF LOCAL INTEREST, INCUMBENT WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF FRED NEWMAN IS FACING TWO CHALLENGERS – MICHAEL HALL OF CHILHOWIE AND PATRICK MANNIX OF BRISTOL VIRGINIA. IN SMYTH COUNTY, INCUMBENT SHERIFF DAVID BRADLEY IS RUNNING UNOPPOSED. HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACES INCLUDING THE ONE IN TAZEWELL COUNTY WHERE INCUMBENT ANNE B. CROCKETT-STARK IS BEING CHALLENGED BY W.F. “BILL” THOMAS, JR. OF PULASKI. POLLS OPEN AT 6 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND CLOSE AT 6 P.M.