Vote early at the Mason Government Center

Early voting for one of the most consequential presidential races in U.S. history began at Fairfax County’s 13 satellite locations on Thursday, Oct. 17.

That includes two locations in Mason District – the Mason Government Center at 6507 Columbia Pike and the Thomas Jefferson Library at 7415 Arlington Blvd.

The satellite voting stations are open:

• Monday-Friday 1 p.m.-7 p.m.;
• Saturdays (Oct. 19, Oct. 26, and Nov. 2) 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and
• Sunday, Oct. 27, 1-5 p.m.

Registered Fairfax County voters can vote at any satellite location. Wait times are posted online

You don’t need a reason to vote early. If you face an emergency on Election Day, Nov. 5, voting early provides peace of mind that your vote will count.

Voting early in person is the best way to ensure your vote will not be challenged. If your mail-in ballot is missing any information, it could be thrown out. There’s also a chance the Post Office could misplace your mail-in ballot.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 5 and must arrive at the Office of Elections by noon on Nov. 8. You can also deposit your ballot in a dropbox at any early voting location during operating hours.

A better option is to bring your mail-in ballot to an early voting location, surrender it, and vote in person. Mail-in ballots should only be used if you’re planning to be out of town or otherwise can’t vote in person.

View a sample ballot here.

Voters must present an acceptable ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. Examples of acceptable IDs include a current or expired drivers license, current or expired DMV-issued ID card, valid employee ID card with a photo, U.S. military card, student ID card, valid U.S. passport, and government ID card.

You can also bring a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck containing the name and address of the voter.

Curbside voting is available at early voting sites for people with a disability or age 65 or older. Park near a “curbside voting” sign and call the number on the sign. An election officer will come out and give you a ballot in a privacy folder. Curbside voting does not put you at the head of the line.

Polling places have special accessibility features to help people with disabilities, such as magnifying devices for people with impaired vision and special ballot-marking devices.

If you have any problems at a polling place, call the voter protection hotline, 844-4VA-VOTE (844-482-8683).

If you haven’t registered to vote by the Oct. 15 deadline, you can register at any early voting location and submit a provisional ballot. Check your registration status here.

Provisional ballots are not mixed in with regular ballots. After the election, local electoral boards review provisional ballots to determine whether they should be counted.

Convicted felons automatically lose the right to vote. If you’re no longer incarcerated you can apply to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office to have your rights restored.