General Election 2019: Absentee Voting, Reston Deadlines

RESTON, VA — Virginia House of Delegates, Senate, sheriff and commonwealth attorney will be on the ballot for Reston voters in the Nov. 5 general election. Absentee voting opened on Sept. 20, and voters should be aware of other election-related deadlines.

Absentee voting is available in-person or by mail. In-person absentee voting will be open through Saturday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. The deadline for mailed ballots to be received by the Voter Registration Office is Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. The deadline to submit an application for an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.

Who can vote absentee

Absentee voting is an alternative to voting on Election Day for those unable to make it to the polls.
A Virginia resident can cast an absentee ballot if he or she is:

• A spouse of student attending college or university outside locality of residence in Virginia
• Have personal business, work or vacation outside the county of residence on Election Day
• Working and commuting for 11 or more hours, between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., on Election Day
• A "first responder" (firefighter, law enforcement, emergency medical technician, search and rescue)
• Have a disability or illness
• A caregiver for a family member confined at home.
• Pregnant
• Confined (awaiting trial or convicted of a misdemeanor)
• An electoral board member, registrar, officer of election, or custodian of voting equipment
• Attending a religious obligation
• Active Duty Merchant Marine or Armed Forces
• Spouse or dependent living with a member of Active Duty Merchant Marine or Armed Forces
• Temporarily residing outside of US
• Temporarily residing outside of US for employment or spouse or dependent residing with employee
• An authorized representative of candidate or party serving inside the polling place
• Granted a protective order issued by or under the authority of a court of competent jurisdictio

How to vote absentee in person

An acceptable form of photo identification is required for in-person voting. Residents can obtain a free temporary ID when casting an absentee ballot in person.

To see a sample ballot and find out where you need to go to cast your vote in person, click here.

How to vote absentee by mail

Residents who choose to submit an absentee ballot by mail must first apply. The quickest way to submit an application is online at vote.elections.virginia.gov.

Once you receive your absentee ballot, return the completed ballot to the Voter Registration Office no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

What's on the ballot

All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and all 40 Virginia Senate seats are up for grabs in 2019. Click here to see the sample ballot for Reston. Here's who's on the ballot:

Member Senate of Virginia 32nd District

Arthur G. Purves - R
Janet D. Howell - D

Member House of Delegates 36th District

Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum - D

Commonwealth’s Attorney

Steve T. Descano
Jonathan L. Fahey

Sheriff

Stacey Ann Kincaid
Christopher F. DeCarlo

Chairman Board of Supervisors

Joseph F. Galdo
Jeffrey C. McKay

Member Board of Supervisors Hunter Mill District

Walter L. Alcorn

Member School Board At Large (vote for no more than three)

Abrar E. Omeish
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra
Rachna Sizemore Heizer
Cheryl A. Buford
Vinson Xavier Palathingal
Priscilla M. DeStefano

Member School Board Hunter Mill District

Melanie K. Meren
Laura Ramirez Drain

Soil and Water Conservation Director Northern Virginia District (vote for no more than three)

Gerald Owen "Jerry" Peters, Jr.
Chris E. Koerner
Edward F. McGovern
Christopher A. Bowen
C. Jane Dudik
Monica A. Billger
Jonah E. "Jet" Thomas

Public School Bonds

Shall Fairfax County, Virginia, contract a debt, borrow money, and issue capital improvement bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $360,000,000 for the purposes of providing funds, in addition to funds from school bonds previously authorized, to finance, including reimbursement to the County for temporary financing for, the costs of school improvements,including acquiring, building, expanding and renovating properties, including new sites, new buildings or additions,renovations and improvements to existing buildings, and furnishings and equipment, for the Fairfax County public school system?

Control of the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate hangs in the balance. Republicans have a 21-19 majority in the Senate and 51-49 majority in the House. During 2017 elections, Democrats gained 15 seats in the House.

Other things to know before Election Day

• Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5.
• An acceptable form of photo identification is required to cast a ballot at your polling place.

Additional reporting by Megan VerHelst/Patch