Fairfax City Voter Guide 2020: Deadlines, Candidates, How To Vote

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

The voter registration deadline is coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 13. That deadline also applies to voters to update their address. Fairfax City voters may register at vote.elections.virginia.gov/Registration/Eligibility or in person weekdays at the Fairfax City Hall Annex, 10455 Armstrong Street, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030. More information about registering is provided at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/voter-registration.

Early/Absentee Voting

Absentee voting by mail and in person began on Sept. 18. Due to a new state law that took effect on July 1, all registered Virginia voters can have no-excuse absentee voting.

Friday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. is the deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail. Voters can submit an application online through the Virginia Department of Elections or download a paper copy of the absentee ballot application. Completed paper applications can be scanned and mailed to City of Fairfax Office of Elections, City Hall Annex, 10455 Armstrong Street, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030. Applications must be received by the Office of Elections at 5 p.m. on Oct. 23.

For absentee ballots returned by mail, they must be postmarked by Nov. 3 or delivered in person by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Alternatives to returning an absentee ballot by mail are hand-delivering them to the city's secure ballot drop box at City of Fairfax Office of Elections, City Hall Annex, 10455 Armstrong Street, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030.

For early voting in person, voters only need to show up at an early voting location with an acceptable form of ID. From Sept. 18 through Oct. 31, in-person absentee voting takes place Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday hours are available two Saturdays before the Nov. 3 general election from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-person absentee voting takes place at City of Fairfax Office of Elections, 10455 Armstrong Street, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030.

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. The City of Fairfax has provided a map of precincts.

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

Sample ballots are now available for Fairfax City voters. Below are the candidates on the ballot and proposed Virginia constitutional amendments.

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, 11th District

• Gerard Connolly - Democrat
• Manga Anantatmula - Republican

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?

Important dates for the Nov. 3 general election

• Friday, Sept. 18 — Early voting begins. In-person early voting is available at the City of Fairfax Office of Elections, 10455 Armstrong Street, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030.
• 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.
• Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Satellite early voting locations open across Fairfax 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 third day 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 the City of Fairfax Office of Elections website.