Politics & Government

Absentee Voting in Fairfax County: 10 Locations to Open Saturday

If you don't think you'll be able to vote on Election Day, you can vote absentee by mail or in-person at 10 locations in Fairfax County.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Absentee voting will expand Saturday to 10 locations across Fairfax County, the elections office announced Wednesday. The locations will be open weekdays starting Oct. 17.

Have a question about registering to vote? The Virginia Department of Elections has extended their customer service hours and is available to answer your voter-related questions from the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 800-552-9745 and select Option 1.

The Fairfax County elections office continues to see an uptick in absentee voting, reporting Wednesday morning that they just had their 1,000th in-person absentee vote cast, on the beginning of Day #4 of in-person absentee voting. For comparison, in 2012 the county saw 712 ballots cast at the end of the third day of absentee voting.
"We also are seeing heavy activity in voter registration (many of those are re-registrations)," a county spokeswoman said.

Find out what's happening in McLeanfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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.

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.

Find out what's happening in McLeanfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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.

Here's a look at the schedule if you plan to vote in-person absentee:

Saturday Schedule (Nov. 5 is the last day to absentee vote in-person)

  • Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekday Schedule

  • Oct. 17 to Nov. 4: Monday - Friday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Click absentee voting location links for an interactive map of the location.
You may also open an interactive map of all absentee voting locations.

Satellite 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

SATURDAYS ONLY
Lorton Library - 9520 Richmond Hwy., Lorton, 22079

You can also vote at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Conference Room 2/3.

Weekday Schedule

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.

Oct. 17 to Nov. 4: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday Schedule (Nov. 5 is the last day to absentee vote in-person)

Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PHOTO: Shutterstock

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