Presidential Primary Is Tuesday in Virginia

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- The race for the White House arrives in Virginia next week in the form of Super Tuesday, when voters in 12 states head to the polls to vote for their favorite in the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.

The Fairfax County Office of Elections notes that ballots were created before some candidates dropped out of the race, so you may see some names who aren’t still in the running.

• On the Democratic ballot: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders
• On the Republican ballot: Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, John Kasich, Ben Carson

The polls across Fairfax County (more than 200 of them) will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here is what you can do to be prepared to vote:

Some polling locations have changed in the last few years. Take a few minutes to double check your poll location, even if you have been voting in the same place for years. It could save you frustration and time Tuesday. Click on the link to find your polling place:

Find Your Polling Place and Address

Getting there

If you are planning to vote on your way home from work, keep in mind you need to be in line at your poll location by 7 p.m. in order to vote – give yourself plenty of travel time.

If you take public transportation, there are two convenient ways to find out how you can get where you need to go on Election Day:

1. Trip Planner: Metro’s Trip Planner provides instant itineraries for trips on Metrorail, Metrobus, Fairfax Connector and other local bus and rail systems. Schedules provide door-to-door fares and travel times, complete with walking directions and transfers.
2. Transit Service Nearby: Enter a street address, intersection, or landmark name to find bus and rail service within 1 mile of your location.

Note: The Fairfax County School Board voted to make March 1 a school holiday, so classes will not be in session at the 167 schools that serve as poll locations.

Bring a Valid Form of Photo ID

There are several forms of acceptable photo ID:

• Virginia driver’s license
• U.S. passport
• Military ID
• Federal, Virginia or local government-issued photo ID cards
• Complete list from the Virginia Department of Elections

If you do not have a photo ID, you can get a free photo ID from the Office of Elections. Contact us as soon as possible at 703-222-0776, TTY 711, or email voting@fairfaxcounty.gov

Voting on the Republican ballot?

If you are voting for a candidate on the Republican ballot, you do not have to sign a “loyalty oath.” On Feb. 4, the State Board of Elections approved the Republican Party of Virginia’s request to rescind use of a statement of affiliation to vote in the Republican Party Primary. Voters who request a Republican ballot for the March 1 Primary will not be asked to sign a statement of affiliation.

Information courtesy of the Fairfax County Office of Elections