Drop-Off Boxes Available For Absentee Ballots In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — A secure drop-off box is an option for returning absentee ballots for Arlington voters as early voting is underway for the Nov. 3 election.

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:

• 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, the following four locations will also have supervised drop boxes:

• 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.

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.

In-person early absentee voting started on Sept. 18 and will run through Oct. 31. The Bozeman Government Center and Courthouse Plaza were initially the only in-person early voting location, but four satellite sites will open on Oct. 17.

Voters no longer need an excuse for early voting 45 days before an election due to new state legislation. Voters still have to show an acceptable form of identification to vote in person, but it no longer has to be a photo ID.

The Nov. 3 election will include races for president and vice president of the United States, one member of the U.S. Senate, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 8th congressional district, the Arlington County Board and School Board, two amendments to the Constitution of Virginia, and five bond questions for Arlington County. See a sample ballot for voters.

Voters can submit an application for an absentee ballot, register to vote or check registration status, and check their polling place at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.

Here are the key dates to remember:

• 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.