Drop Box Available For Absentee Ballots In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A secure drop-off box is an option for returning absentee ballots for City of Alexandria voters as early voting is underway for the Nov. 3 election.

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 Alexandria is located outside the Alexandria Office of Voter Registrations and Elections, 132 North Royal Street (across from City Hall). The box is available 24 hours a day and is under video surveillance.

Once additional early voting sites open on select days in October, drop boxes will be available at those sites during early voting hours. Absentee ballots may also be returned on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any polling place.

Voters should follow the instructions included with the ballot and return it to the Alexandria Office of Voter Registrations and Elections 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).

In-person early absentee voting started on Sept. 18 and will run through Oct. 31. On the first day of early voting, a line formed outside the city's election office, the Alexandria Times reported. The Office of Voter Registrations and Elections is initially the only in-person early voting location, but additional locations will be open later in October.

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, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 8th congressional district, and two amendments to the Constitution of Virginia. See a sample ballots for the City of Alexandria.

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.
• 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.