Updated Oct. 27, 2020
Early voting has drawn record numbers of people here in the Alexandria area and nationwide.
Here are answers to the most common questions about voting this year either absentee, in person early or in person on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
How do I return my absentee ballot?
Due to postal service system delays, it really is best to drop off your ballot at the local voter registration office.
Until Oct. 31, there are several locations open. Here's where they are in the City of Alexandria and in Fairfax County. Yes, you can drop off your filled-out absentee ballot at an early voting location!
After Oct. 31, you'll need to bring your absentee ballot to main Office of Voter Registration and Elections in the City of Alexandria at 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100.
In Fairfax County, the Office of Elections is at 12000 Government Center Pkwy.
Can I still vote in person on Nov. 3?
Yes, absolutely. You can go to your local polling place and vote in person on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Your voting location may have changed from previous years, so be sure to look up your polling place here to be sure you know where to go to vote. You need to bring an ID.
If you received an absentee ballot but you would rather vote in person on Nov. 3, bring your blank absentee ballot with you to your polling place, along with a photo ID and a mask.
It is not clear how crowded polling places will be this year, but we recommend you wear a mask and maintain physical distancing from other people as much as possible.
Is my filled-out, mail-in ballot going to arrive on time?
Local officials are now recommending that you BRING your absentee ballot to one of the early voting locations or your local voter registration office instead of mailing it. Due to slowdowns in the postal service, bringing your ballot in (or having someone do this for you) will ensure your ballot arrives on time and is counted.
You may bring your absentee ballot to the voter registration office on Election Day, Nov. 3, by 7 p.m.
Ballots that have been mailed must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and they arrive at your local voter registration office by noon on Nov. 6 or they will not be counted.
How do I know if my ballot was counted?
You can check your voting history here. This will tell you if your ballot has been received or not.
Why haven't I received my absentee ballot yet?
Absentee ballot requests are processed in the order received. If you have not received your absentee ballot by election day Nov. 3, go vote in person but you must let a poll worker know that you requested an absentee ballot and did not receive it. Bring a photo ID to the polls.
You can track your ballot here.
Can I vote absentee on Nov. 3?
If you received an absentee ballot and you fill it out, you can bring it to the Alexandria or Fairfax County registrar's office on Nov. 3. The addresses are above.
What if I messed up on my ballot?
The directions for filling out your mail-in ballot are complicated, no doubt. Be sure you're following the directions for what goes in which envelope, in what order and that you've signed your envelope. (Complete directions are here.)
There is a new law in effect for this election that requires election officials to reach out to voters whose ballots have been flagged because of errors.
How and where can I vote early in person?
In-person absentee voting for this year’s Nov. 3 presidential election started on Friday, Sept. 18.
Until Saturday, Oct. 31, you may vote at the City of Alexandria Office of Voter Registration & Elections, 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Alexandria has also opened up several other satellite voting locations. Here's the list and hours.
In Fairfax County, you may vote in person at the Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Pkwy. from Friday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 31.
On Oct. 14, a number of satellite in-person absentee voting sites opened in Fairfax County. Those will be open through Oct. 31. A list of Fairfax County absentee in-person voting locations and hours is available here.
What do I need to bring to my polling place on Nov. 3?
To vote in person, you must provide your name and address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. A list of acceptable IDs is available here: www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/in-person-voting.
If you requested an absentee ballot with the intention of voting by mail, but you change your mind, you should bring your mail-in ballot with you to vote in person so it can be destroyed.
What's the difference between absentee voting and mail-in voting?
Absentee voting can include ballots that are returned to drop-off locations in person instead of mailed, and early voting in person. Mail-in voting is an option for those who want to vote absentee.
Unlike past years, you do not need a specific reason to vote early or absentee.
Did I miss voter registration? What deadlines do I need to know about?
Yes, voter registration is closed for this year's election.
- Oct. 13: Voter Registration Deadline. In-person: 5 p.m., online: 11:59 p.m. (This was later extended due to internet outages in Northern Virginia.)
- Oct. 23: Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail, 5 p.m.
- Oct. 31: Final day for absentee in-person/early voting, 5 p.m.
- Nov. 3: Deadline to hand deliver absentee ballots to Office of Elections is 7 p.m.
- Nov 6: Deadline for mailed absentee ballots to be received by Office of Elections is 12 p.m. (noon). Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3.
Can I still request an absentee ballot?
This deadline has passed.
You need to have applied to have an absentee ballot mailed to you by Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.
If you did not do that, you need to vote early in person at one of the locations early voting locations or vote on Election Day.
For more information follow these links:
