Good morning, Washington. Tonight’s the night — the last debate between John McCain and Barack Obama. And although it’s unlikely that the debate will reveal much that we don’t already know, the fact that some polls show McCain trailing by double digits means that the stage is set for some desperate (and dirty) electioneering. Are you planning to watch, or have you had enough of this nonsense?

Va. Bans Political Clothing At Polls: A couple of weeks ago we warned you not to wear a t-shirt advertising your preferred candidate to the polls in D.C. Doing so is considered a political act, which is forbidden within 50 feet of the polls. Now Virginia has followed suit, according to WJLA. Explicit campaign apparel is expressly forbidden, while clothing with implicit political messages — e.g. t-shirts bearing jokes about aerial wolf-hunting — are subject to the discretion of local election boards. And if you’re voting in Virginia, you may want to pay attention to your schedule as well as your outfit: via WTOP comes word of a study saying that the state may not be prepared for the high turnout expected on election day.

Fairfax Announces Budget Plan: Fairfax has become the latest local government forced to propose an employee furlough to avoid service cuts, as the Post reports. The proposal calls for just one day of unpaid leave, but it’s symptomatic of the fiscal woes facing local governments across the region. County Executive Anthony Griffin also announced freezes on capital improvements and vehicle replacements, and said that further budget reductions will be made across the county government.

Briefly Noted: D.C. home improvement permit process gets simpler… Roommate of Capitol Hill stabbing victim speaks to media… Suspect arrested for threats made against immigrant rights group… Condition of Md. Medevac helicoptr crash survivor improving… Defacement of campaign signs picking up in Virginia… Army Corps of Engineers punts on Asian Oyster question, leaves it up to states… ANC commissioner arrested for allegedly interfering with police action in Adams Morgan while “observing” it…

This Day In DCist: One year ago we pondered the sartorial plight of female Republican staffers on the Hill.

Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user blueiris2006