Arlington Voter Guide 2020: Deadlines, Candidates, How To Vote

ARLINGTON, VA — The Nov. 3 election is quickly approaching in Arlington, and voters have already begun submitting absentee ballots through early voting locations, mail and drop boxes. This year, Arlington voters will decide on races for president, U.S. House and U.S. Senate as well as state constitutional amendments, Arlington County bonds, County Board and School Board.

The voter registration deadline is coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 13. That deadline also applies to voters to update their address. Arlington County voters may register at https://vote.arlingtonva.us/voter-registration/register-vote/ or in person weekdays at the Office of Voter Registration (2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 320, Arlington, VA) during open hours.

Early/Absentee Voting

The Virginia General Assembly voted to permit drop boxes as election officials see an increased demand for absentee voting for the Nov. 3 election. There are currently two supervised drop boxes in Arlington, where voters can also vote early in person:

• Bozman Government Center, Third Floor, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. The drop box is available through Nov. 3, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24, 31, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday-Friday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Tuesday, Nov. 3, 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Courthouse Plaza, 2200 Clarendon Blvd. Open through Oct. 31, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24, 31, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monday-Friday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Between Oct. 17-31, these location will be open for early voting:

• Aurora Hills Community Center, 735 18th St. S. Monday-Friday, 2-7 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Langston-Brown Community Center, 2121 Culpeper St. Monday-Friday, 2-7 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Madison Community Center, 3829 N. Stafford St. Monday-Friday, 2-7 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th St. S. Monday-Friday, 2-7 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24, 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Drop-off boxes will be available at all early voting locations. Voters can also drop off their completed mail ballots at their Neighborhood Polling Place on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters should follow the instructions included with the ballot and return it to Arlington Voter Registration & Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by 12 p.m. the Friday after the election.

Preparing for Election Day

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. For those voting in person on Nov. 3, you can check your polling place at vote.elections.virginia.gov.

An acceptable form of identification is required to vote in person, but it no longer has to be a photo ID. Examples of accepted IDs include a Virginia driver's license or DMV-issued photo ID, U.S. passport, and copy of a utility bill, paycheck or other government document showing the voter's address.

What's on the Ballot

A sample ballot is now available for Arlington County voters. Below are the candidates on the ballot and proposed Virginia constitutional amendments and bond questions.

President and Vice President

• Joseph R. Biden, President and Kamala D. Harris, Vice President - Democrat
• Donald J. Trump, President and Michael R. Pence, Vice President - Republican
• Jo Jorgensen, President and Jeremy F. "Spike" Cohen, Vice President - Libertarian

Member, United States Senate

• Mark R. Warner - Democrat
• Daniel M. Gade - Republican

Member House of Representatives, 8th District

• Don Beyer - Democrat
• Jeff Jordan - Republican

Arlington County Board

• Libby Garvey
• Audrey Clement

Arlington County School Board (2 Seats)

• David Priddy
• Christina Diaz-Torres
• Symone Walker

Constitutional Amendment #1

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to establish a redistricting commission, consisting of eight members of the General Assembly and eight citizens of the Commonwealth, that is responsible for drawing the congressional and state legislative districts that will be subsequently voted on, but not changed by, the General Assembly and enacted without the Governor's involvement and to give the responsibility of drawing districts to the Supreme Court of Virginia if the redistricting commission fails to draw districts or the General Assembly fails to enact districts by certain deadlines?

Constitutional Amendment #2

Should an automobile or pickup truck that is owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the United States armed forces or the Virginia National Guard who has a one hundred percent service connected, permanent, and total disability be free from state and local taxation?

Bond Question - Metro & Transportation

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $29,940,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and other transit, pedestrian, road or transportation projects?

Bond Question - Local Parks & Recreation

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $3,630,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for local parks & recreation?

Bond Question - Community Infrastructure

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $7,485,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for County facilities and other County Infrastructure?

Bond Question - Arlington Public Schools

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $52,650,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for Arlington Public Schools?

Bond Question - Stormwater

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $50,840,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for the County Stormwater Program?

Important dates for the Nov. 3 general election

• Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Last day to register to vote or update registration for the Nov. 3 election. The deadline is 5 p.m. in person and 11:59 p.m. online.
• Saturday, Oct. 17 — Satellite early voting locations open across Arlington County.
• Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. — Application deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. — Deadline to vote early in person.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. — Deadline to return completed ballot to registrar. If returning your ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the registrar by noon on the Friday after the election (Nov. 6).
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information, visit voting and elections.