The Fairfax Girl Team 
Election season brings a lot of terminology, deadlines, and ways to participate, and it’s easy to lose track of what applies to your address. For Virginia voters, the best place to start is with the Virginia Department of Elections and your local election office. From checking voter-registration information to learning about early voting, mail ballots, sample ballots, and local races, there are several official resources available to Northern Virginia residents. Read on for a basic guide to voting in Virginia and where to find the most up-to-date information for Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church.
What Is Voter Registration?
Voter registration is the official record that determines whether an individual is registered to vote and which election district, precinct, and ballot apply to that voter.
Virginia’s Department of Elections maintains statewide voter information, while local election offices administer elections within individual counties and cities.
Because a person’s ballot depends on where they live, keeping registration information current is particularly important in Northern Virginia, where congressional, state, county, city, and town boundaries can vary significantly from one address to another.
Virginia voters can find official registration resources through the Virginia Department of Elections. Fairfax County residents can also visit the Fairfax County Office of Elections, which provides links to registration information and Virginia’s voter portal.
What Is Early Voting?
Early voting allows eligible voters to cast a ballot before Election Day rather than waiting until the general election itself. Early voting for the November 3rd election begins September 18th. The last day to vote early in-person is October 31st. For the most current information about when early voting is available for a particular election, voters should check the Virginia Department of Elections or their local election office.
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What Is Voting by Mail?
Voting by mail allows a voter to receive a ballot away from an in-person voting site and return it according to Virginia’s election rules.
This is different from casting a ballot at an early-voting location, although both take place outside the traditional Election Day voting process.
The Virginia Department of Elections maintains current information about mail voting, while local election offices provide election-specific resources.
Why You Should Look at a Sample Ballot
A sample ballot is one of the most useful election resources available because it shows voters the races and questions that may appear on their actual ballot.
This is particularly helpful in Northern Virginia. Fairfax County, for example, is divided among multiple congressional districts, and some residents also live within incorporated towns with additional local races.
The Fairfax County Office of Elections publishes sample ballots by congressional district and locality. Loudoun County also maintains sample ballots for county and town voters, while Arlington and Alexandria publish their own election information and ballot resources.
Fairfax County Voting Resources
Fairfax County’s Office of Elections is the main resource for county residents.
The office maintains information about voter registration, sample ballots, district maps, election results, accessible voting, voting equipment, and other election topics.
Useful Fairfax County resources include:
- Fairfax County Office of Elections
- Fairfax County Sample Ballots
- Fairfax County Precinct + District Maps
- Fairfax County General Election Information
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Loudoun County Voting Resources
The Loudoun County Office of Elections + Voter Registration maintains local election information for Loudoun residents, including election notices, sample ballots, election results, and information organized by voting precinct.
Residents of incorporated Loudoun towns should pay particular attention to their individual sample ballot because local contests can vary.
Arlington Voting Resources
Arlington County residents can use Arlington Voting + Elections for current election information, sample ballots, candidate information, and details about local contests.
Arlington voters should also be aware that some local races may use election methods that differ from other contests, so the county’s official election site is the best place to review the rules applicable to a particular race.
Alexandria Voting Resources
The City of Alexandria’s Office of Voter Registration + Elections maintains information about current elections, sample ballots, precinct maps, registration resources, accessibility, and other election topics.
Falls Church Voting Resources
Falls Church residents can find local election information through the city’s Voter Registration + Elections Office.
The city publishes current election notices and resources for Falls Church voters, while statewide election information remains available through the Virginia Department of Elections.
Where to Find Official Virginia Election Information
Election information can vary by election, locality, and home address. For the most current registration information, election schedules, early-voting information, mail-ballot information, voting locations, and other procedural questions, use official government election resources.
- Statewide: Virginia Department of Elections
- Fairfax County: Fairfax County Office of Elections
- Loudoun County: Loudoun County Elections
- Arlington County: Arlington Voting + Elections
- Alexandria: Alexandria Voter Registration + Elections
- Falls Church: Falls Church Voter Registration + Elections
For more Northern Virginia election coverage, including what’s on the ballot and the candidates running for office, see The Fairfax Girl’s complete guide to the 2026 Virginia election.
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