Voters in Gloucester and Mathews counties will head to the polls Tuesday to elect a representative for the 1st Congressional District, as well as deciding on three proposed amendments to the state constitution (see related story). Polls will be open in the two counties from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voting has actually started, with absentee balloting well underway. Mathews registrar Ruth Ann Hutson estimated that her office had received about 100 votes as of Friday. Approximately 325 votes had been cast in Gloucester by Monday, registrar Carole Gates said.

The deadline to apply for absentee ballots through the mail has already passed; Saturday is the last day to vote absentee in person at the registrar’s office. There are more than 18 different categories by which people may qualify to vote by absentee ballot.

Participation overall is expected to be light, with Gates saying that statewide estimates are calling for a 40 percent voter turnout. "We’d be happy for that&quo...