VA Election 2021: Early Voting Set To Begin In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Early voting will kick off Friday, Sept. 17 for the Virginia general election, which will decide races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and House of Delegates.

The Falls Church ballot will contain local races for city council and school board and statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as the House of Delegates seat.

In-person early voting begins at Falls Church City Hall at 300 Park Avenue on Friday at 8 a.m. In-person voting will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also vote in person on two Saturdays: Oct. 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 12. By-mail registrations must be post-marked by Oct. 12, and in-person registrations must be submitted by 5 p.m. in the registrar’s office. Online registrations will end at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 12.

The last day for in-person voting at Falls Church City Hall is Oct. 30.

An acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person, but it is no longer required to be a photo ID. Examples of accepted ID include a Virginia driver's license, DMV-issued ID, U.S. passport, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck and more.

Voters over the age of 65 or with physical limitations may vote curbside outside Falls Church City Hall. Call the Elections Office at 703-248-5085 once you have arrived, or call the number ahead and make an appointment.

Early voting by mail

Voters who requested a ballot by mail may begin early voting on Sept. 17. Ballots may be dropped off at the secure Ballot Box located outside City Hall at 300 Park Ave. The Ballot Box is under 24/7 video surveillance and is monitored by the Falls Church Police Department. Make sure you include "Envelope B" inside the dark orange return envelope provided when dropping your ballot at the Ballot Box.

The quickest way to request an absentee ballot is through the Virginia Department of Elections online portal. To apply online, a Virginia driver's license number and last four digits of your Social Security number are needed.

While the witness signature requirement was exempted earlier in the pandemic, it is again legally required for the November 2021 election and future elections in Virginia. Voters must sign the return envelope and include a witness signature with the completed ballot.

The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on Oct. 22. Mail-in ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. on Nov. 2 in person or be postmarked by Nov. 2 and received by noon on Nov. 5.

For those who are not registered to vote or need to update their address, the voter registration deadline is Oct. 12 by 5 p.m. in-person, 11:59 p.m. online, or postmarked by mail on Oct. 12.

Election day

On Nov. 2, election day, Falls Church has three polling locations. Voters in Ward 1 should vote at Thomas Jefferson School at 601 South Oak Street. Voters Ward 2 should vote at the Falls Green Apartments (formerly Oakwood Apartments) at 501 Roosevelt Boulevard. Voters in Ward 3 should vote at the Falls Church Community Center at 223 Little Falls Street.

The polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registered voters waiting in line to vote at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Polling places are accessible to persons with disabilities.

What's on the ballot

All ballots will contain races for city council, school board, House of Delegates, governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Here is what's on the ballot for Falls Church residents:

City Council Candidates (listed in order of filing; voters will choose no more than four)

• David F. Snyder
• Debora "Debbie" Schantz-Hiscott
• Marybeth D. Connelly
• Stuart M. Whitaker
• Caroline S. Lian
• Scott C. Diaz

School Board Candidates (listed in order of filing; voters will choose no more than four)

• Ilya Shapiro
• Lori K. Silverman
• Jerrod F. Anderson
• Courtney C. Mooney
• David S. Ortiz
• Kathleen E. C. Tysse
• Tate O. Gould
• Withdrawn: Jennifer E. Halvaksz
• Withdrawn: Adam D. Riedel

Governor

• Glenn A.Youngkin-R
• Terry R.McAuliffe-D
• Princess L. Blanding-LP

Lieutenant Governor

• Winsome E. Sears-R
• Hala S. Ayala-D

Attorney General

• Jason S. Miyares-R
• Mark R. Herring-D

House of Delegates - 53rd District

• Sarah White - R
• Marcus Simon-D

More information: www.fallschurchva.gov/elections.