Early voting begins Saturday for Feb. 10 special elections
Two Alexandria-area seats on the ballot as Democrats defend one-seat Senate majority
Early voting for the Feb. 10 special elections begins Saturday, with two seats in the Virginia General Assembly on the line.
Voters in Senate District 39 will choose between Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, the Democratic nominee, and Republican Julie Robben Lineberry. Voters in House District 5 will choose between City Councilman Kirk McPike, the Democratic nominee, and Republican Mason Butler.
Key dates
Thursday, Jan. 30: Last day to apply for a mail ballot (by 5 p.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 31: Early voting begins
Sunday, Feb. 1: League of Women Voters candidate forum (virtual)
Monday, Feb. 3: Last day to register to vote or update existing registration
Tuesday, Feb. 4: Same-day registration begins
Saturday, Feb. 7: Early voting ends
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Election Day (polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Mail ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 10 and received by noon on Friday, Feb. 13.
Candidate forum
The League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria is hosting a virtual candidate forum Sunday, Feb. 1. Senate District 39 candidates Bennett-Parker and Lineberry will face off at 1:30 p.m., followed by House District 5 candidates McPike and Butler at 2:45 p.m. Sign up at the League’s website.
The races
The Senate District 39 race carries significant weight — Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Virginia Senate. The seat is being vacated by Sen. Adam Ebbin, who is resigning Feb. 18 to join Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Bennett-Parker won a four-way Democratic firehouse primary Jan. 13 with 70.6% of the vote. Lineberry, a retired realtor who served 10 years on the Alexandria Electoral Board, became the Republican nominee after no other candidates filed.
The House District 5 race will fill Bennett-Parker’s current seat. McPike won the Democratic firehouse primary Jan. 20, defeating Eileen Cassidy Rivera, Chris Leibig and Darryl Nirenberg. Butler, who serves as head of precinct operations for the Alexandria GOP, is the Republican nominee.
Another election on the horizon?
If McPike wins, his departure from City Council would trigger yet another special election — potentially adding to a string of elections Alexandria voters have faced since January.
Two candidates have already announced bids for the potential vacancy: former Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Sandy Marks and Tim Laderach, chair of the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission and two-time president of the Del Ray Citizens Association.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins said last week she is working to align the council special election with the April 21 statewide redistricting referendum to save approximately $150,000 in election costs. That plan would require the Alexandria Democratic Committee to hold a firehouse primary in late February if multiple candidates seek the nomination.
How to vote
Senate District 39 includes all of Alexandria and portions of Arlington and Fairfax County. House District 5 covers only part of Alexandria. Voters can find which district they live in on the city’s precinct map at alexandriava.gov/Elections. Sample ballots for precincts within and outside House District 5 are also available on the city’s website.
On Election Day, voters should go to their regular polling place. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In Alexandria, early voting takes place at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100. Hours are as follows:
Saturday, Jan. 31: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 1: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 2: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 3: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 4: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 5: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A secure outdoor ballot drop box is available 24 hours a day in front of the elections office and is under video surveillance. Drop boxes will also be available at all polling places on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The fastest way to register or update your information is online at vote.elections.virginia.gov. Applications must be submitted before midnight on the registration deadline.
For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections or call 703-746-4050.