Politics & Government

Fairfax County Sees 'Explosion' in Early Voting

In-person absentee voting is up 157 percent from the election four years ago.

According to statistics released this week, Fairfax County is seeing an "explosion" in early voting for the election—to the tune of more than double what it saw for the election four years ago.

Frank Anderson, executive director of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, said thanks in large part to the convenience of the county's new satellite locations for in-person absentee voting, the county has seen a huge jump in the numbers voting early, to the tune of a 157-percent increase over 2009.

"In-person absentee early voting has been hugely popular in Fairfax County," Anderson said.

As of Tuesday, nearly 8,000 voters have already taken advantage of the in-person absentee early voting option the county rolled out this year through satellite locations that are open several times a week, including on Saturdays.

"Many voters have told election officers how pleased they are with the ease and convenience of voting early," Anderson said.

Voters who applied to vote early by absentee by Oct. 29 were given 19 reasons to justify doing so, including know they were going to have to be outside of Fairfax County for business or personal reasons on election day.

Fairfax Democrats Chairman Cesar del Aguila noted, "A significant number of Fairfax voters work in Washington, D.C. or in surrounding counties. Every one of them is entitled to vote early. Saturday voting means no traffic concerns or time off from work."

Early voting is still an option through this Saturday, Nov. 2. 

Del Aguila said in his opinion, the ways Fairfax County is making voting easier and more convenient for residents is a big reason why early voting is already up 37 percent—when one factors in both voting by mail and in-person absentee—from the last election cycle, and why he thinks voter turnout is looking promising for this election.

“It's undeniably clear that Fairfax County residents want and are taking advantage of opportunities to vote in advance of election day," he said. "Voting is a Constitutional right and we encourage the Board of Elections to make it as easy as possible for citizens to exercise that right. We congratulate the Board of Elections for expanding the Saturday satellite voting opportunities."


CLICK HERE for directions and times Fairfax County voters (including Town of Herndon residents) can vote in-person absentee through this Saturday, Nov. 2.

CLICK HERE to check your voter registration status and see where your assigned polling place is for election day this coming Tuesday, Nov. 5.


TELL US - Did you, or will you, vote absentee for this election? Did you utilize one of the new satellite locations? Or are you doing it the tried-and-true way at a polling place on Tuesday? Tell us in the comments.


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