Early voting under way for Democratic primary

Virginia’s Democratic presidential primary election is March 3, and absentee in-person voting is already going on at the Fairfax County Government Center.

While only Democratic candidates will be the ballot, any registered voter can vote on Super Tuesday. Virginia holds open primaries, and voters don’t register by party.

There will be 14 candidates on the ballot, although some of them have already suspended their campaigns.

This is the order they will appear, determined by a random drawing: Cory Booker, Julián Castro, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson, Michael Bennet, Joseph R. Biden. Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Deval Patrick, Pete Buttigieg, Andrew Yang, Tom Steyer, and Michael R. Bloomberg.

Just a few elected officials from Northern Virginia have endorsed presidential candidates so far. U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, Virginia Sen. Adam Ebbin, and Virginia Del. Mark Keam have endorsed Buttigieg. State Sen. Chap Petersen endorsed Klobuchar.

In Virginia, political parties decide how they nominate candidates and can use caucuses, mass meetings, primary elections, or other methods. The Republican Party chose to select delegates to their national convention at a state convention, so no Republican candidates will appear on the March 3 ballot.

To vote absentee in person, visit the Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 2/3, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Voting hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. (It’s closed on President’s Day, Feb. 17.)

Twelve additional locations, including the Mason Government Center, will have absentee voting Feb. 22-29.

For the March 3 primary, you must have a reason to vote absentee, and there are 20 valid reasons, including working and commuting for 11 or more hours on Election Day.

Only registered voters can vote in the March 3 primary. The last day to register or update your voter registration information is Feb. 10. Check your registration status here.

High school students can register to vote if they are a U.S. citizen, a resident of Virginia, and will be at least 18 years old by Nov. 3, the date of the general election.