The county is in full-bore preparation for the Nov. 6 election. This year, as you know, is a presidential election year in a tightly contested battle, which means voter turnout is expected to be high.
You can start here with the release that says they are in full-bore preparation for the election.
That release covers just about every aspect of election day from
- the voter registration page (which really has more about who is running and when and less about how to register, oddly; rules for registering can be found on a link on that page, or just click here to go to the "Register to Vote" page)
- to the new voter ID law that was changed (and upheld by the federal Department of Justice) this year
- to the rules for absentee voting.
We'll start with voter registration. If you have voted in a recent election and have not moved since then, you are registered to vote for this year's election, and you should be getting a new voter ID card (see below). If you are new to the area, or have moved within Arlington, you will need to change your registration.
- Here's the change of address form for already-registered voters who moved within Arlington.
- New Virginians, first-time voters, and others, use this form.
- Do this by Oct. 15.
The governor signed a law earlier this year that everyone must have an ID to vote. This has been seen as part of the national debate surrounding voter ID laws. Virginias' new rule passed muster with the federal Department of Justice at least partly because it does not require a photo ID. The list of applicable IDs is extensive (see a full list here). It runs the gamut from
- the Virginia voter ID/info card that should be arriving in the mailboxes of registered voters throughout the commonwealth soon. If you are a registered voter and do not get the new ID card soon, the county asks you to call the Office of Voter Registration, 703-228-3456.
- to a valid driver's license (or other state-issued ID).
- to any ID issued by the state or federal government, a passport, military ID, Medicare card or even library card.
Voters have two methods of voting absentee:
- Mail it in. Find the full form here. That form allows a ballot to be sent to your home or your overseas military station. The deadline to apply to mail-in your absentee vote is the Tuesday before the election, Tuesday Oct. 30. Your ballot (your vote) must be received at the county offices by 7p.m. election day Nov. 6.
- In-person absentee (bring your ID). You will fill-out the registration form, if needed, when you arrive (The county asks you not to mail in the application and show-up to vote in-person).
New this year, the county has set-up three places for in-person absentee voting (bring your ID):
- it runs through Saturday Nov. 3.
- Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Lobby Level
- Barcroft Sport and Fitness Center, 4200 S. Four Mile Run Dr.
- Madison Community Center, 3829 N. Stafford St.
- The links above show maps of the locations.
- These location are open Monday through Saturday, but here's a full schedule.
Elections this year include:
- President/Vice President
- U.S. Senate
- House of Representatives
- Arlington County Board
- Arlington Public School Board
- Virginia Constitutional amendment questions and ballot questions about county bond funds
- See the full list here.
