Alexandria November 2020 Election: Deadlines, Early Voting

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria is gearing up for the Nov. 3 general election, which will feature races for president, U.S. House and U.S. Senate and state constitutional amendments. Amid the pandemic, some voters are choosing to vote absentee by mail or vote early at in-person locations. According to Mayor Justin Wilson's Sept. 1 newsletter, over 20,000 Alexandria residents have requested ballots to vote by mail so far.

Absentee voting by mail will begin on Sept. 18, but voters can request ballots now. Voters can submit an application online through the Virginia Department of Elections. Once requested, the ballot will arrive after Sept. 18. Residents can also call the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 703-746-4050 to receive an application or download one online. If you are returning a printed application, send it to the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections by mail (132 North Royal St., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA. 22314), fax (703-838-6449) or scanned email attachment (VoteAbsentee@alexandriava.gov).

Voters should follow the instructions included with the ballot and return it to the registrar 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 registrar by noon on the third day after the election.

In-person early voting will begin on Sept. 18 at the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, and other locations will be satellite locations on later dates. Here is the schedule for in-person early voting:

Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal Street, Suite 100

• Beginning Sept. 18 through Oct. 31: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Oct. 23, 30: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street

• Oct. 23, 30: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Oct. 24, 31: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Oct. 26, 27, 28, 29: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

Minnie Howard School, 3801 West Braddock Road

• Oct. 24, 31: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

George Washington School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Avenue

• Oct. 24, 31: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Virginia also has new rules for voting that were approved by the General Assembly and signed by the governor. Voters no longer need an excuse for early voting 45 days before an election. Voters still have to show an acceptable form of identification to vote in person, but it no longer has to be a photo ID.

Drop boxes for absentee ballots will be available during the same dates, times and locations of in-person early voting. They will also be available at all polling places on Nov. 3 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The elections office is in the process of determining a place for a secure, 24-hour drop box outside the Office of Voter Registration and Elections. This will be under video surveillance and be available for 24 hours daily.

Voter registration is available online in Virginia. Voters can also download a paper application and mail it to the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Here are important dates to remember for the Nov. 3 general election:

• Friday, Sept. 18 — Early voting begins.
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Last day to register to vote or update registration for the Nov. 3 election.
• 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.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Elections.