2012 Elections

Presidential Primary on March 6
In 2012 the Presidential Primary for assisting the major political parties in selecting their national delegates and Presidential nominees, will be held on Tuesday, March 6. If both the Democratic and Republican parties hold primaries, they will be held on the same date and voters must select which ballot they wish to vote. We are anticipating, however, that only a Republican Primary will be held. More information will be available after the first of January.

The deadline to register to vote or update your registration address for the primary is Monday, Feb. 13. Absentee ballots will be available Jan. 20 through Feb. 28 for voting by mail or through March 3 for in-person voting. See our Election Information Page for more information.

County Board Special Election on March 27
County Board member Barbara Favola was elected to the Virginia Senate in November 2011, and her seat becomes vacant effective Dec. 31, 2011. Under Virginia law, a special election must be held to fill the remainder of her term, or though Dec. 31, 2012. This election will be held on March 27. Interestingly, this is the same County Board seat that will be on the November 2012 ballot.

The deadline to register to vote or update your registration address for the special eleciton is Monday, Mar. 12. Absentee ballots will be available approximately Feb. 10 through Mar. 20 for voting by mail or through March 24 for in-person voting. See our Election Information Page for more information.

Additional Primary on June 12
Primaries for other offices on the November ballot (U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, or County Board), if called, will be held on Tuesday, June 12. Both the Democratic and Republican parties plan to hold primaries for U.S. Senate, so they will be held on the same date and voters must select which ballot they wish to vote.

The deadline to register to vote or update your registration address for the primary is Monday, May 21. Absentee ballots will be available April 27 through June 5 for voting by mail or through June 9 for in-person voting. See our Election Information Page for more information.

November 6, 2012 General Election
On November 6, 2012, we'll be electing the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, County Board, and School Board (two seats). The ballot will also likely include state and local questions. 

The deadline to register to vote or update your registration address is Monday, October 15, 2012. Absentee ballots will be available Sep. 21 through Oct. 28 for voting by mail or through Nov. 3 for in-person voting. See our Election Information Page for more information.

Away on Election Day or Unable to Go to the Polls? Vote by Absentee Ballot!

If you will be away from Arlington or are unable to go to the polls to vote for one of the approved absentee voting reasons, you can request an absentee ballot by mail, or vote an absentee ballot in person at the Office of Voter Registration. Please see our Absentee Voting page for more information.

Be a Part of the Solution!

The Arlington County Electoral Board is facing a shortage of Officers of Election (pollworkers) willing to work at the polls during 2010. If you are interested in serving Arlington County as an Officer of Election, please visit our Work at the Polls page, or call 703.228.3456. You must be a Virginia registered voter and able to serve all day on Election Day, from 5 a.m. until after results are called in (typically about 8:30 p.m.). We are particularly looking for election officers willing to work in any part of the county.

Smart tips for All Voters

• Unsure about whether you are registered to vote, or where you need to vote on Election Day? Check with the Office of Voter Registration while there is still time to correct any problems. The registration deadline is 21 days before most elections.
  
  Arlington residents should call 703.228.3456 or send us an email message. If you live in Virginia but not in Arlington, visit the Virginia State Board of Elections to find contact information for your local Voter Registration office.

• You must be registered to vote at your current residence address. If you have moved and not updated your registration address, you may not be eligible to vote.

• Bring your ID to the polls. Virginia law requires all voters to present ID prior to voting. Either your Virginia Driver's License or your Voter Information Card is ideal, although other forms are also accepted. If you forget to bring your ID, you can still vote after you sign an affirmation form.
  
  Exception: If you registered to vote by mail after Jan. 1, 2003, and did not provide a copy of your ID with your application, you are required under federal law to present an eligible form of ID the first time you vote in a federal election. If you do not have eligible ID, you cannot vote on the voting machines, but you will be offered to vote a provisional ballot. Voters who meet this criteria are sent a notice from the Virginia State Board of Elections prior to each federal election, specifying which forms of ID are eligible.

• Always refresh your voting memory by reviewing the voting machine instructions and/or by asking the election officer to demonstrate the equipment when you go to the polls.

• All voters are entitled to assistance in the voting booth if needed.

• Review your selections on the Summary Screen carefully before you proceed to the VOTE screen and touch "VOTE." If you wish to change any of your selections, simply touch the office or question, and then touch your original selection to clear it. You can then make your new selection.

• If you will be out of town on Election Day or unable to go to the polls due to illness or physical disability, you are eligible to request an absentee ballot. Please visit our Absentee Voting page for more information.