Four Important Things to Know About Absentee Voting in Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Absentee voting started Friday in Virginia for the presidential primary scheduled for March 1. If you’re not going to be able to make it to your polling place on March 1, you have from now until Feb. 27 to vote absentee in person. Mail-in ballots need to be received by March 1 at 7 p.m.

Here are a few tips from Fairfax County:

1. Your absentee ballot is counted on election night and your vote is included with the results reported that night.

2. There are 19 valid reasons to vote absentee in Virginia, including working and commuting to and from home for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day. Check the Virginia Department of Elections listto see if you are eligible.

3. There are two ways to absentee vote, in-person and by mail. To do either, you should first check your voter registration status to make sure it is up-to-date. Then you will need to apply for an absentee ballot. Note: If you vote absentee in-person you will fill out the application when you arrive at the in-person absentee location (see locations below). Voting absentee by mail? Read below for the process of applying for your mail-in ballot.

4. You can now apply for an absentee ballot online with the state’s new Citizen Portal. You will need yourSocial Security Number and information on your Virginia Driver’s License to complete the application. Information is also provided on how to apply if you do not have a driver’s license.

More information about absentee voting:

What You Need to Know About March 1, 2016 Presidential Primary Elections Including Candidates

Notice to voters voting by absentee ballot in the Republican Party Primary Election .pdf

Informacion en espanol

Where to vote

Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 2/3, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, 22035

Weekday Schedule

• Jan. 15 to Feb. 26, (closed Monday, Jan. 18, for Martin Luther King Day and Monday, Feb. 15, for Presidents Day)
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday Schedule (Feb. 27 is last day to absentee vote in-person)

• Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In-Person Absentee Voting at Eight Satellite Locations

Saturday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Note: last day to absentee vote in-person)

Satellite Voting Locations:

Providence Community Center - 3001 Vaden Dr., Fairfax, 22031 - New Location

Franconia Governmental Center - 6121 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, 22310

McLean Governmental Center - 1437 Balls Hill Rd., Community Room, McLean, 22101

North County Governmental Center - 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Community Rooms, Reston, 20190

West Springfield Governmental Center - 6140 Rolling Rd., Springfield, 22152

Mason Governmental Center - 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, 22003

Mount Vernon Governmental Center - 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, 22306

Sully District Governmental Center - 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, 20151

Absentee Voting by Mail

You can keep tabs on the status of your mail-in absentee ballot application and ballot. Go to the Virginia Citizen Portal and click on Absentee Status.

Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot online or by mail, fax or email: Received by the Office of Elections by Feb. 23, 5 p.m.

What you need to do:

• You can apply for your absentee ballot online; Or:
• Print the online absentee ballot application (PDF). Absentee ballot applications are also available at county governmental centers and library branches, or call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776 (TTY 711).
• Complete the absentee ballot application (PDF) – make sure you sign the application.
• Fax the application to the Office of Elections at 703-324-3725, or email the application toabsenteeballot@fairfaxcounty.gov. Or, mail to the Office of Elections, Box 10161, Fairfax, VA 22038.
• Once your application is received, your absentee ballot will be sent to you within three business days, beginning no later than Jan. 15. If you have questions about your ballot, call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776 (TTY 711).
• The deadline for your mail-in absentee ballot to be received by the Office of Elections is Election Day,March 1, 7 p.m.

Absentee Voting Resources

Online Absentee Ballot Application

Absentee Voting Ballot Application (PDF version) – scroll down, includes list of eligible reasons to vote absentee

Military/Overseas Absentee Voting

Virginia Department of Elections Absentee Voting Information

Lost, Damaged or Spoiled Ballot