Drop Box Available For Absentee Ballots In Fairfax City

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — A secure drop-off box is an option for returning absentee ballots for City of Fairfax voters as the early voting period begins on Friday, Sept. 18.

The Virginia General Assembly voted to permit drop boxes as election officials see an increased demand for absentee voting for the Nov. 3 election. The drop box in Fairfax City is located inside the atrium of City Hall at 10455 Armstrong Street.

Voters may return their mailed absentee ballots during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., including holidays, as well as Saturday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 31.

In-person early absentee voting has already started in earnest in Fairfax City. In the first 90 minutes after the office began early voting Friday morning, 33 people had come into vote, Brenda Cabrera, director of elections and General Registrar for the City of Fairfax, told Patch. That number is far more than the number of people who did in-person absentee voting on a typical day in previous elections.

In-person early voting runs from Friday through Oct. 31 at the Office of Elections in City Hall. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Saturdays, Oct. 24 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on observed holidays. Voting booths have been set up in the main lobby to promote social distancing. Face coverings are required inside City Hall.

Voters should follow the instructions included with the ballot and return it to the Fairfax City elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. If you are returning the ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the office by noon on the third day after the election (Nov. 6).

Residents can track their ballot's delivery status through Ballot Scout and confirm it has been received through the Virginia Department of Elections.

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, the member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 11th congressional district and two amendments to the Constitution of Virginia. The Fairfax City elections office has provided a sample ballot.

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:

• Friday, Sept. 18 — Early voting begins by mail and in person at City Hall.
• 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.
• Friday, Oct. 23 — 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 the elections office. If returning your ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the elections office by noon on the third day after the election (Nov. 3).
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information, visit the City of Fairfax Office of Voter Registration & Elections website.