Falls Church November 2020 Election: Deadlines, Voting By Mail

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The City of Falls Church's Voter Registration & Elections Office is gearing up for the Nov. 3 general election, which will feature races for president, U.S. House and U.S. Senate, a special election for a City Council seat, and state constitutional amendments. Amid the pandemic, some voters are choosing to vote absentee by mail or vote early at in-person locations. According to a tweet from Falls Church registrar Dave Bjerke on Thursday, over 3,000 Falls Church residents have applied for absentee ballots.

Absentee voting by mail will begin on Sept. 18, but voters can request ballots now. Voters can submit an application online through the Virginia Department of Elections. Once requested, the ballot will arrive after Sept. 18. Voters may also download and print an application and drop it off or mail it to the Voter Registration & Elections Office at 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church VA, 22046.

Voters should follow the instructions included with the ballot and return it to the Falls Church elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. If you are returning the ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the office by noon on the third day after the election (Nov. 6).

If you are a Fairfax County resident, see our election guide for the county.

In-person early voting will begin on Sept. 18 and end on Oct. 31. Voters can go to City Hall (300 Park Avenue) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Saturdays, Oct. 24 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours are subject to City Hall's operating hours.

Virginia also has new rules for voting that were approved by the General Assembly and signed by the governor. Voters no longer need an excuse for early voting 45 days before an election. Voters still have to show an acceptable form of identification to vote in person, but it no longer has to be a photo ID.

Voter registration is available online in Virginia, and voters can check their registration status or update their address through the same website. Applications to register are also available at City Hall or can be requested by calling 703-248-5085 (TTY 711). Voters must be age 18 or older by Nov. 3, 2020 and a resident of Virginia and their local precinct.

Here are important dates to remember for the Nov. 3 general election:

• Friday, Sept. 18 — Early voting begins by mail and in person at City Hall.
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Last day to register to vote or update registration for the Nov. 3 election. The deadline is 5 p.m. in person and 11:59 p.m. online.
• Friday, Oct. 23 — Application deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. — Deadline to vote early in person.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. — Deadline to return completed ballot to the elections office. If returning your ballot by-mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the elections office by noon on the third day after the election (Nov. 3).
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information, visit www.fallschurchva.gov/135/Voter-Registration-Elections.