Fairfax City Election Results 2026: Lockhart Takes Early Lead In Mayor's Race [Live Updates]

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Polls have officially closed across Virginia, and election officials are tabulating ballots cast in Tuesday's general election.

As the first votes began coming in around 7:25 p.m., Kirsten Sides Lockhart (56.4%) was leading Tom Peterson (43.2%) in the mayor's race.

In the City Council race, Anthony Amos, Kelly M. O'Brien, Sandi W. Slappey Brown, Maria Jose Padmore, and Stacy R. Hall were the six early leaders in the 11-way race to see who will fill the six open council seats.

Voting was steady on Election Day, with 4,538 (24.94%) of city voters casting ballots in person at the polls by 6 p.m., according to Fairfax City's General Registrar Wannicha Rojanapradith.

Officials expect to report results from races across the state throughout the evening. Some contests are likely to be decided quickly, while others could take longer to call.

In Fairfax City, Patch is following the contests for mayor, city council and school board, along with a local sales tax referendum and three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution.

Results for all races are available on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

As of 7 p.m., preliminary vote tallies are as follows. Be sure to refresh this page throughout the night for the latest results as they come in:

Fairfax City Mayor

Two candidates are competing to become Fairfax City's next mayor.

Kirsten Sides Lockhart and Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson are seeking the city's top elected office.

Fairfax City Council

Eleven candidates are competing for six seats on the Fairfax City Council.

The election is nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not have political party affiliations listed beside their names on the ballot. Political parties may endorse candidates, but those endorsements do not change the race's official nonpartisan status.

Voters could select up to six candidates.

The six candidates receiving the most votes will win seats on the City Council.

Fairfax City School Board

Five candidates sought five seats on the Fairfax City School Board.

School Board elections are nonpartisan, so candidates do not list party affiliations beside their names on the ballot.

Fairfax City Sales Tax Referendum

Fairfax City voters decided whether to authorize an additional retail sales tax of up to 1 percent.

Revenue from the proposed tax would be restricted to capital projects involving construction or renovation of schools serving Fairfax City, public transportation purposes serving the city, or both. The money could also cover related bond and loan financing costs.

A yes vote would authorize the City Council to establish the tax. A no vote would deny that authority.

Election-night results are unofficial until certified by election officials.