Voters head to polls for special election Tuesday

WASHINGTON – Tuesday is Election Day for some voters in Fairfax and Arlington counties.

A special election Aug. 19 in the 48th House District will fill a seat left vacant by Del. Robert H. Brink, D-Arlington, who has taken a position with Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s administration.

Republican David M. “Dave” Foster will face Democrat R.C. “Rip” Sullivan Jr..

Tuesday’s election will be the last time Northern Virginia voters go to the polls before new photo ID requirements kick in.

Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will be required to present some form of identification. Acceptable forms of identification include:

  • Voter registration card
  • Social security card
  • Virginia driver’s license
  • Virginia concealed handgun permit
  • Valid student ID issued by an institution of higher learning located in Virginia
  • Valid employee ID card that has a photo and was issued in the ordinary course of business
  • Any ID issued by any state agency, political subdivision or the federal government
  • Copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows both the name and address of the voter

Beginning with the November general election, Virginia voters will be required to present an approved photo ID in order to cast ballots.

Approved photo identifications include:

  • Virginia driver’s license
  • DMV issued ID card
  • Valid college or university student photo ID card
  • Valid employee photo ID card
  • U.S. passport

Voters who don’t have approved photo identification can contact local voter registration offices for a free Virginia Voter Photo Identification Card.

Registered voters going to the polls with no photo ID can still vote using a provisional ballot but will have to provide a valid photo ID at a later day in order for the ballot to be counted.

In the District of Columbia and Maryland registered voters are not subject to photo ID requirements.

Something that will be different in tomorrow’s election in Fairfax County will be transparent to those who cast ballots. Fairfax County has upgraded the machines that optically scan the paper ballots. The process of filling in an oval to vote on paper will remain the same.

Virginia’s 48th District consists of 13 Arlington precincts and eight precincts in Fairfax County. Polls will be open for tomorrow’s special election from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More information

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