Voter Guide For Fairfax City: What's On The Ballot, Early Voting & More

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — On Nov. 3, voters in the City of Fairfax will choose who will represent them on Capitol Hill and at City Hall.

City of Fairfax residents will vote for candidates running in the mayoral, city council and school board races. The ballot also includes three referendums to amend the Virginia constitution and a ballot question on whether the city should adopt a 1% sales tax.

The statewide deadline to request a mail-in ballot is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and in-person early voting ends on Oct. 31.

Who's On The Ballot

Fairfax City is in the 11th Congressional District. Incumbent U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D) is running for re-election and Arthur Purves is the Republican Party's candidate.

In the Republican Primary, Bert Mizusawa was declared the GOP's candidate for U.S. Senate on the Nov. 3 ballot. He defeated challengers David E. Williams and Kim Farington. Mizusawa faces incumbent Senator Mark Warner (D).

View Sample Ballot and Explanations

Mizusawa is a decorated retired Army major general who also holds a law degree. His long career includes senior military leadership roles, legal and federal contracting work, and positions advising the first Trump campaign and the CIA. He has previously run unsuccessfully for federal office in Virginia.

Member, United States Senate

• Mark R. Warner - D
• Bert Mizusawa - R
• Write-in

Member, House of Representatives (11th District)

• James R. Walkinshaw - D
• Arthur G. Purves - R
• Dianne L. Blais - G
• Write-in

Mayor

• Kirsten Sides Lockhart
• Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson
• Write-in

Member City Council

• Stacy R. Hall
• Rachel M. McQuillen
• Anthony T. Amos
• Sandi W. Slappey Brown
• Kelly M. O'Brien
• Russell A. Jones
• Stephen S. Kim
• Susan Hartley Kuiler
• María José Padmore
• Steve S. Chang
• Jessica L. Lough
• Write-in (up to 6 slots available)

Member School Board

• Carolyn S. Pitches
• Amit Sarah Hickman
• Kristina M. Cecere
• Sarah M. Kelsey
• Lauren A. Bartelme
• Write-in (up to 5 slots available)

2026 Ballot Referendums

Fairfax City voters will decide whether to approve or disapprove a 1% retail sales tax.

Ballot Question

"Should the City of Fairfax be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent (1%), as determined by the City Council, to provide revenues solely for: (i) capital projects for new construction or renovation of schools serving the City, including bond and loan financing costs related to such needs; or (ii) public transportation purposes serving the City, including bond and loan financing costs related to such needs; or (iii) both capital projects for new construction or renovation of schools serving the City and public transportation purposes serving the City?"

Summary: This referendum asks voters whether to grant the City Council the legal authority to introduce an additional local retail sales tax of up to 1%.

• Revenue Restrictions: Funds raised cannot cover daily operating costs or salaries; they must fund school construction/renovation, city public transportation projects, or a combination of both (including related debt financing).
• Voting Impact: A "Yes" vote grants the City Council authority to enact the tax and decide specific project funding allocations, while a "No" vote denies the city access to this tax option.

Virginia voters will also find three statewide questions on the ballot:

Question 1: Reproductive Freedom

A yes vote would add protections to the state constitution for personal decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, birth control, abortion and fertility care. It would also protect patients and the health care workers helping them from punishment for exercising those rights.

The state could limit abortions during the third trimester, roughly the final three months of pregnancy. Exceptions would be required when a doctor determines an abortion is needed to protect the patient’s life or physical or mental health, or when the fetus cannot survive outside the womb.

A no vote would leave the constitution unchanged and without these protections. It would not, by itself, ban abortion or change existing laws.

Question 2: Marriage Equality

A yes vote would remove the state constitution’s ban on same-sex marriage and say that two adults can marry regardless of their sex, gender or race. It would also require equal treatment of all legal marriages.

A no vote would keep the ban’s wording in the constitution. Same-sex marriage would remain legal under the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling.

Question 3: Voting Rights

A yes vote would make voting a basic right protected by the state constitution for qualified voters. People convicted of felonies would automatically regain their voting rights upon release, without needing the governor to restore them.

It would also require a court to find that someone cannot understand what voting means before taking away their voting rights on that basis.

A no vote would keep the current rules. People convicted of felonies would still need their voting rights restored before they could vote, and the state constitution’s existing restriction for people found mentally incompetent would remain.

How To Vote

Fairfax City voters can cast in-person ballots at City Hall through Saturday, Oct. 31. Polls will be open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

Voters can also cast in-person ballots on two Saturdays (Oct. 24 and Oct. 31) and two Sundays (Oct. 18 and Oct. 25). Saturday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday hours are 12 to 5 p.m.

The deadline to request a by-mail ballot is Friday, Oct. 23. Completed ballots must be received by 5 p.m. that day. You can return ballots by mail or in person at City Hall (10455 Armstrong St.). You can also drop them off at the dropbox outside City Hall.

The deadline to register or update registration information is Friday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. Return applications in person by 7 p.m. or online by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 3. Unregistered voters can also register at the polls on Election Day and cast a provisional ballot. Check your registration status at the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal.

On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling location on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Also See ...

• 6 Fairfax Candidates Team Up Around A 'Common Ground' Pledge
• Fairfax City Democrats Recommend Lockhart For Mayor, Four Council Candidates
• Fairfax City Voters Now Know November Choices For U.S. Senate