Vienna Connection

The news is all about Donald, Hilary, Bernie, Carlie, Joe and Jeb. That’s next year, November 2016. The election in less than a month matters here in Northern Virginia. What are your priorities? Do you think quality schools are essential? Do you wish for better transportation and traffic solutions? Is protecting the environment important to you? Do you care about police transparency? Do you think gerrymandering is a problem? Are you worried about how public money is being spent? These are all local concerns, and these and many, many others are the issues that will be affected by next month’s election.

Especially in a Dillon Rule state such as Virginia, where localities have only the powers specifically granted by the state General Assembly, who is elected at the state level is critical.

An earthquake, hurricane, early snow, or just one of those cataclysmic traffic days could make it hard to vote on Election Day, Nov. 3. On that day, virtually every state and local office is on the ballot. In-person absentee voting begins is underway, and is a good way to ensure you have your say in this critical local election.

Virginia Law allows voters to vote absentee if they could be "working and commuting for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day." You’re allowed to count your worst possible commute in estimating how many hours you might be working and commuting on Election Day. If you qualify, you can vote early in-person, see sidebar.

On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.

To vote on Election Day, you must be registered at your current address no later than Oct. 13, 2015. You can check your registration status online by going to www.sbe.virginia.gov.

FAIRFAX COUNTY: Each voter in Fairfax County can make choices in one State Senate district, one House of Delegates district, Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, District member of the Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County School Board at Large (vote for 3); District School Board member; Soil and Water Conservation Board (vote for 3); School Bond for $310 million, Public Safety Bond for $151 million. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming.htm

ALEXANDRIA: Each voter in Alexandria will make choices in five contests: Mayor, City Council, one State Senate district, one House of Delegates district and one School Board district. Because of the way these districts intersect, there are seven different ballot combinations.

http://www.alexandriava.gov/Elections

ARLINGTON: Voters in Arlington will choose one in Virginia Senate; one in Virginia House of Delegates; County Constitutional offices including Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue; two seats on the County Board, and one on School Board. For sample ballots and more information, visit http://vote.arlingtonva.us/

It’s also worth noting that new, more restrictive voter identification regulations took effect last year. Voters arriving to the polls without required photo ID will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot and will have until noon on the Friday after the election to deliver a copy of identification to their locality’s electoral board in order for their provisional ballot to be counted. Photo ID requirements also apply to absentee voters who vote in-person in all elections.

Here are the “acceptable” forms of identification: Valid Virginia Driver’s License or Identification Card; valid Virginia DMV issued Veteran’s ID card; valid U.S. Passport; Other government-issued photo identification cards (must be issued by U.S. government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth); valid college or university student photo identification card, must be from an institution of higher education located in Virginia; employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business; Virginia Voter Photo ID Card obtained through any local general registrar’s office. “Valid” is defined as a genuine document, bearing the photograph of the voter, and is not expired for more than 12 months.

Any registered voter may apply for a free Virginia Voter Photo Identification from any general registrar’s office in the Commonwealth. Voters applying for the Virginia Voter Photo ID Card will have to complete the Virginia Voter Photo Identification Card Application, have their picture taken, and sign the digital signature pad.

For More Election Information

Fairfax County Board of Elections, 703-222-0776, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming.htm

12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Suite 232, Fairfax, 22035; FAX 703-324-2205; email voting@fairfaxcounty.gov

City of Fairfax General Registrar, 703-385-7890, http://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/general-registrar

10455 Armstrong Street, Sisson House, Fairfax, 22030; FAX 703-591-8364; email generalregistrar@fairfaxva.gov

State Board of Elections, 804 864-8901 Toll Free: 800 552-9745 FAX: 804 371-0194

email: info@sbe.virginia.gov

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov

Arlington Voter Registration & Elections

2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 320

Arlington, VA 22201

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Phone: 703-228-3456;

TTY: 703-228-4611

FAX (main): 703-228-3659

Fax (absentee applications): 703-228-3705

email: voters@arlingtonva.us

Alexandria Voter Registration & Elections

132 North Royal Street, Suite 100

Alexandria, Virginia 22314

703.746.4050

Fax: 703.838.6449

anna.leider@alexandriava.us