Early voting begins Friday for Alexandria's April 21 special election

Early voting begins Friday, March 6, for the April 21 Alexandria City Council special election. Any registered Alexandria voter may participate, either in person or by mail.

The ballot will include the city council race — featuring Democratic nominee Sandy Marks, and independents Frank Fannon and Alison Virginia O'Connell — as well as a proposed statewide constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting.

Voting in person

In-person early voting is available at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 132 North Royal Street, Suite 100, beginning Friday. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last day to vote early in person is Saturday, April 18 at 5 p.m.

Extended hours are available during the final stretch:

• Saturday, April 11: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday, April 12: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 18: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Voting by mail

Applications for a mail-in ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10. Applications are available online at vote.elections.virginia.gov, through the city's elections webpage, or by calling 703.746.4050.

Completed ballots must be returned to the Office of Voter Registration and Elections by 7 p.m. on April 21, or postmarked by April 21 and received by noon on Friday, April 24.

Ballot drop boxes

A secure outdoor drop box, under video surveillance, is available 24 hours a day in front of the Office of Voter Registration and Elections through April 21 at 7 p.m. Drop boxes will also be available at all polling places on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voter registration

The standard registration deadline for the April 21 election is April 14. Same-day registration is available beginning April 15 through Election Day. Voters can register, check their registration status, or update an existing registration at vote.elections.virginia.gov.

For more information, contact the Office of Voter Registration and Elections at voters@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4050.

More on the candidates

Frank Fannon wants to bring balance back to the Alexandria City Council

The independent candidate and former council member sat down with the Alexandria Brief Tuesday ahead of early voting, which begins Friday.

The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

Sandy Marks wants to keep Alexandria City Council moving forward

The Democratic nominee sat down with the Alexandria Brief Tuesday ahead of early voting, which begins Friday.

The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

Alison Virginia O’Connell to sit down with Alexandria Brief for live interview ahead of April 21 special election

The independent candidate joins publisher Ryan Belmore Wednesday at 3 p.m. Watch live or catch it afterward as video, podcast, or transcript.

The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore

Redistricting would keep Alexandria in the 8th — and remake it

Virginia’s proposed 10-1 congressional map keeps Alexandria in the 8th District. But the district it would belong to would bear little resemblance to the one Alexandrians know today.

The Alexandria BriefRyan Belmore