Dates, Deadlines for Absentee Voting for March 1 Presidential Primaries in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Virginia will hold primaries for the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries on Tuesday, March 1. But if you can’t make it to the polls that day, you can vote absentee. So far, 314 residents have voted absentee in the Democratic presidential primary and 700 have requested absentee ballots by mail for the Democratic presidential primary, according to Anna Leider, general registrar.

In Alexandria’s Republican presidential primary, 105 have voted absentee so far and 346 have requested absentee ballots by mail.

Here are some key dates coming up, information courtesy of the Alexandria Voter Registration and Elections Office:

Absentee Voting — By Mail

The deadline to submit an application to have an absentee ballot mailed to you is Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Applications must be received at the Voter Registration Office by that time.

• Absentee ballots must be received at the Voter Registration Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day (March 1) to be counted.
• The ballot may be mailed or delivered in-person (an absentee ballot dropped off must be delivered personally by the voter).

Virginia’s photo ID requirements do not apply to absentee voters who request an absentee ballot by mail.

Absentee Voting — In Person

Virginia’s photo ID requirements apply to absentee voters who cast their absentee ballot in person. Voters who do not have acceptable ID may apply for an ID (and receive a temporary ID) at the same time they come to cast their in-person absentee ballot at the Office of Voter Registration & Elections, 132 N. Royal Street, Suite 100.

In-person absentee voting at the Voter Registration Office began on Friday, Jan. 15 at 8 a.m. and ends on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m.

• Regular hours for in-person absentee voting are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Extended hours for in-person absentee voting are listed below:
  
  • Monday, Feb. 22 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    
• You may complete your absentee application when you come to vote.

Reasons to Vote Absentee

• Student (or spouse of a student) attending college or university outside of Alexandria
• Work-related business outside of Alexandria on election day
• Personal business or vacation outside of Alexandria on election day
• Working and commuting 11 of the 13 hours the polls are open
• First responder (e.g., law enforcement, fire fighter, etc.)
  
• Disability or illness
• Caretaker of a disabled/ill family member who is confined at home
• Pregnancy
  
• Confined, awaiting trial
• Confined, convicted of a misdemeanor
• Precinct Election Officer
• Religious obligation or conflict
• Active Duty Merchant Marine or Armed Forces (or a spouse/dependent of someone on Active Duty)
• Residing outside of the United States
• Authorized representative of political party or candidate (and serving inside the polling place)

Where Do I Get An Application? And What Do I Do With It?

You may apply for an absentee ballot online through the Citizen Portal at the Virginia Department of Elections website.

You may also download the Virginia Absentee Ballot Application, the Annual Application for an Absentee Ballot, and the Federal Post Card Application (for military and overseas voters) using the links below.

Once you complete the appropriate application form (and sign it), you may return it by mail (Alexandria Voter Registration Office, 132 North Royal St., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA. 22314), fax (703.838.6449) or scanned email attachment (VoteAbsentee@alexandriava.gov). Please see the application instructions for more information.

• Download Virginia Absentee Ballot Application (fillable pdf)
• Apply for an Absentee Ballot Online (through the Virginia Department of Elections)
  
• Download Annual Ballot Application for Disabled or Ill Voter
• Download a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA for military and overseas voters) (fillable pdf)
• ­Statement of Voter who lost or did not receive absentee ballot

Be sure the application includes the reason you need to vote absentee; the address you wish the ballot mailed to; your name, address, last 4 digits of your social security number, and signature. If using the Virginia Absentee Ballot Application, a separate application must be completed for each election in which you need to vote absentee. (An FPCA is valid for all elections that occur from the time you submit the application through December 31 of the following year.)

You can also call or email the Voter Registration Office at VoteAbsentee@alexandriava.gov and request an application form be mailed or faxed to you. Please be sure to include your complete mailing address or fax number in your message

According to Virginia Election Law effective July 1, 2007, each absentee ballot application must contain the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security Number.

Have more questions? Visit the Alexandria elections office online here.