Election Day is Nov. 3, and on that day, virtually every state and local office is on the ballot. In-person absentee voting begins Sept. 18, barely two weeks from now. Virginia Law allows voters to absentee vote if they could be "working and commuting for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day." You’re allowed to count your worst possible commute in estimating how many hours you might be working and commuting on Election Day.
On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
To vote on Election Day, you must be registered at your current address no later than Oct. 13, 2015. You can check your registration status online by going to www.sbe.virginia.gov.
It’s also worth noting that new, more restrictive voter identification regulations took effect last year.
FAIRFAX COUNTY: Each voter in Fairfax County can make choices in one State Senate district, one House of Delegates district, Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, District member of the Board of Supervisors, Soil and Water Conservation Board (vote for 3), School Bond for $310 million, Public Safety Bond for $151 million. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming.htm
ALEXANDRIA: Each voter in Alexandria will make choices in five contests: Mayor, City Council, one State Senate district, one House of Delegates district and one School Board district. Because of the way these districts intersect, there are seven different ballot combinations.
http://www.alexandriava.gov/Elections
ARLINGTON: Voters in Arlington will choose one in Virginia Senate; one in Virginia House of Delegates; County Constitutional offices including Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue; two seats on the County Board, and one on School Board. For sample ballots and more information, visit http://vote.arlingtonva.us/
As of last summer, there are new requirements for voter identification that voters must bring with them to the polling place.
Virginia law requires all voters to provide an acceptable form of photo identification at the polls. Voters arriving to the polls without photo ID will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot and will have until noon on the Friday after the election to deliver a copy of identification to their locality’s electoral board in order for their provisional ballot to be counted.
Virginia’s photo ID requirements also apply to absentee voters who vote in-person in all elections.
Here are the “acceptable” forms of identification: Valid Virginia Driver’s License or Identification Card; Valid Virginia DMV issued Veteran’s ID card; Valid United States Passport; Other government-issued photo identification cards (must be issued by U.S. Government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth; Valid college or university student photo identification card, must be from an institution of higher education located in Virginia; Employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business; Virginia Voter Photo ID Card obtained through any local general registrar’s office. “Valid” is defined as a genuine document, bearing the photograph of the voter, and is not expired for more than 12 months.
Any registered voter may apply for a free Virginia Voter Photo Identification from any general registrar’s office in the Commonwealth. Voters applying for the Virginia Voter Photo ID Card will have to complete the Virginia Voter Photo Identification Card Application, have their picture taken, and sign the digital signature pad.
For More Election Information
Fairfax County Board of Elections, 703-222-0776, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming.htm
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Suite 232, Fairfax, 22035; FAX 703-324-2205; email voting@fairfaxcounty.gov
City of Fairfax General Registrar, 703-385-7890, http://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/general-registrar
10455 Armstrong Street, Sisson House, Fairfax, 22030; FAX 703-591-8364; email generalregistrar@fairfaxva.gov
State Board of Elections, 804 864-8901 Toll Free: 800 552-9745 FAX: 804 371-0194
email: info@sbe.virginia.gov
Arlington Voter Registration & Elections
2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 320
Arlington, VA 22201
Hours: 8 am-5 pm M-F
Phone: 703-228-3456;
TTY: 703-228-4611
FAX (main): 703-228-3659
Fax (absentee applications): 703-228-3705
email: voters@arlingtonva.us
Alexandria Voter Registration & Elections
132 North Royal Street, Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.746.4050
Fax: 703.838.6449
anna.leider@alexandriava.us