Spike in Absentee Voting in Fairfax County, Compared to 2012

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- The Fairfax County's elections office has seen 6,000 votes cast by absentee voters as of Friday, 2,000 more votes compared to the same time four years ago, according to spokeswoman Lisa Connors.

The county has mailed out twice the number of absentee ballots this year when compared to the 2012 election, Connors said.

Absentee voting is when you vote before Election Day (Nov. 8 this year) because you can't make it for one reason or another. You may want to consider absentee voting, especially if you have a long commute, have a disability or illness, or you are a first responder, the county elections office said.

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 list to see if you are eligible.

No in-person absentee voting on Columbus Day in Fairfax County

There will be no in-person absentee voting available in Fairfax County on Monday, Columbus Day, a federal holiday, Connors said. But the Virginia Department of Elections will be open on the holiday, to answer any questions from voters, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can call 800-552-9745 and select Option 1.

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).

You can now also apply for an absentee ballot online with the state's new Citizen Portal. You will need your Social 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 than half a million Fairfax County residents are expected to vote in the Nov. 8 election. During the last two presidential elections, the county had an 80 percent turnout and is expecting a similar turnout this year. The county has 243 voter precincts, where voting will take place Nov. 8 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where to vote absentee in person in Fairfax County

With absentee voting now underway, voters can either mail in their ballot or vote absentee in person at 10 locations across Fairfax County on Saturdays Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The locations will be open weekdays starting Oct. 17, Monday through Friday from 2-8 p.m. Click the absentee voting location links in the list below for an interactive map of the location. You may also open an interactive map of all absentee voting locations.

• Providence Community Center - 3001 Vaden Dr., Fairfax, 22031
• 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 Governmental Center - 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, 20151
• Lorton Library - 9520 Richmond Hwy., Lorton, 22079 (Saturdays only)

Voting at Fairfax County Government Center

• You can also vote at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Conference Room 2/3. You can vote absentee at the government center Sept. 23 to Oct. 14: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. From Oct. 17 to Nov. 4: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Saturday schedule at the government center is Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Deadline to register to vote

You have until Oct. 17 to register to vote. If you register to vote in person, you have until 5 p.m. Oct. 17. If you register to vote online, you have until 12 noon Oct. 17.

Have more questions about absentee voting? Watch a video here from Fairfax County:

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