Politics & Government

Primary Elections in August Could See More Absentee Voting

Primary elections set for August 23; vacationers can still vote, by absentee ballot

Primaries in Virginia are usually held in June but this year, they'll be held in August due to redistricting. With August being prime time for vacations, does this mean there will be a low turn-out? Maybe.

If you want to vote in a primary on August 23 but will be at the beach or can't get to the polls due to illness or disability, you don't have to miss the election.

The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is August 16, by 5 p.m. You must be registered to vote to apply for an absentee ballot. The deadline to register to vote is August 1.

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You can fill out an application for an absentee ballot online. (You'll then need to print it out, sign it and mail or fax it in.) 

You can mail it to:

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  • Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035

or 

  • Office of Elections, Box 10161, Fairfax, VA 22038

Or fax it to:

  • Office of Elections at (703) 324-3725.

Dates and hours for absentee voting:

  • You can vote absentee in person from Friday, July 8 until Saturday, August 20 or by mail by August 23.
  • Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (the office will be open late on Thursdays until 7 p.m.)
  • Saturday, August 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you're going to vote absentee in person, you must go to the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035. There will be no off-site satellite office voting.

There are other extenuating circumstances for absentee voting other than being away, ill or disabled. You may also vote absentee, either by mail or in person, if you are unable to go to the polls on Election Day because you ...

  • are a student or the spouse of a student attending a school outside Fairfax County
  • will be away from Fairfax County on business
  • will be working and commuting for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
  • will be away from Fairfax County on personal business or vacation
  • are unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability 
  • are the primary caretaker of a confined family member
  • have a religious obligation
  • are confined awaiting trial
  • are confined having been convicted of a misdemeanor
  • are an election official
  • are on active duty in the military outside Fairfax County
  • are the spouse or dependent residing with a member of the military outside Fairfax County
  • are an overseas citizen* whose most recent United States residence was in Fairfax County

Here are the candidates running in the area this year. Bolded names will be competing in their party's primary election on August 23.

Senate of Virginia, 34th District

Incumbent Chap Petersen (D-34th)
Gerarda Culipher, Republican Candidate

Senate of Virginia, 37th District

Incumbent Dave Marsden (D-37th)
Jason Flanary, Republican candidate
Steve Hunt, Republican candidate

Senate of Virginia, 39th District

Incumbent George Barker (D-39th)
Miller Baker, Republican Candidate
Scott Martin, Republican Candidate

House of Delegates, 39th District

Incumbent Vivian Watts (D-39th)

House of Delegates, 41st District

Incumbent Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41st)

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Member, Braddock District

Incumbent John C. Cook (R-Braddock)
Christopher J. Wade, Democratic Candidate
Janet S. Oleszek, Democratic Candidate

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Member, Springfield District

Incumbent Pat Herrity (R-Springfield)


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