Absentee in-person voting under way

Campaign signs at the Mason Government Center.

What if you’re sick or otherwise incapacitated and can’t get to the polls on Election Day? To guard against an unforeseen event that prevents you from voting on Nov. 6, it’s a good idea to vote absentee in person early.

The nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) reports a huge increase in early voting throughout Virginia, even though it’s a nonpresidential year. Absentee voting statewide is up 72 percent over 2017 as of Oct. 22.

There are 20 reasons for voting absentee. Examples include working at a job outside of Fairfax County on Election Day; being away at college; having a disability, illness, or being pregnant; or being a caregiver for an ill or disabled family member.

The deadline for voting absentee in person is Saturday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m.

You can vote absentee at any of the Fairfax County government centers, including the Mason District office at 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale.

The office is open for voting 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday.

You’ll need to bring a valid photo ID, such as a Virginia driver’s license or U.S. passport.

If you can’t vote in person, you can apply online for an absentee ballot that you’ll need to mail to the Fairfax County Office of Elections. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot application by mail is Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m.

Fairfax County residents will elect a member of the U.S. Senate and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. There is also a public safety bond and two constitutional amendments on the ballot.

Democratic incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine is up for re-election. His opponents are Corey Stewart (R) and Matt Waters (Libertarian).

In the 8th congressional district, Rep. Don Beyer is up for re-election. He is being challenged by Thomas Oh (R).

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D), the incumbent in the 11th district, has two opponents: Jeff Dove (R) and Stevan Porter (Libertarian).

Absentee voting is up nearly 73 percent in the 11th congressional district and 75 percent in the 8th, compared to 2017, VPAP reports.

Although the Annandale/Mason District is not in the 10th congressional district, that race, pitting Democratic candidate Jennifer Wexton against Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock, is getting national attention as a key race in Democrats’ efforts to take over the House.

The $182 million public safety bond would fund renovations in several public facilities, including the Mason Police Station and the Seven Corners Fire Station.

One of the constitutional amendments would authorize the General Assembly to allow localities to provide a partial tax exemption for real property that is subject to recurrent flooding if certain improvements have been made to the property to address flooding.

The other proposed amendment would allow the surviving spouse of a veteran with a 100 percent service-connected, permanent disability to continue to claim a tax exemption even if the spouse moves to a new residence.