Fairfax City Election Day Guide: Mayor, City Council, School Board Races And More

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City voters will head to the polls Tuesday to choose their representatives for the U.S. House and Senate, mayor, City Council and School Board in the Nov. 3 general election. They will also decide three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution and whether to authorize an additional local sales tax.

Early voting ended Saturday, Oct. 31, but voters will have one final opportunity to cast their ballots on Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

The city's ballot includes two candidates for mayor, 11 candidates competing for six City Council seats and five candidates for five School Board seats.

U.S. Senate

Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Warner is seeking another term against Republican Bert Mizusawa, who won the Republican nomination in the Aug. 4 primary.

The candidates appearing on Fairfax City's ballot are:

• Mark Warner — Democrat
• Bert Mizusawa — Republican

11th Congressional District

Fairfax City is part of Virginia's 11th Congressional District.

Democratic incumbent Rep. James Walkinshaw is seeking re-election against Republican Arthur Purves and Green Party candidate Dianne Blais.

The candidates are:

• James R. Walkinshaw — Democrat
• Arthur G. Purves — Republican
• Dianne L. Blais — Green Party

Fairfax City Mayor

Two candidates are running to become Fairfax City's next mayor.

• Kirsten Sides Lockhart
• Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson

Fairfax City Council

Eleven candidates are competing for six seats on the Fairfax City Council.

The candidates are:

• Stacy R. Hall
• Rachel M. McQuillen
• Anthony T. Amos
• Sandi W. Slappey Brown
• Kelly M. O'Brien
• Russell A. Jones
• Stephen S. Kim
• Susan Hartley Kuiler
• María José Padmore
• Steve S. Chang
• Jessica L. Lough

Voters may select up to six candidates.

Fairfax City School Board

Five candidates are running for five seats on the Fairfax City School Board.

The candidates are:

• Carolyn S. Pitches
• Amit Sarah Hickman
• Kristina M. Cecere
• Sarah M. Kelsey
• Lauren A. Bartelme

Voters may select up to five candidates.

Four Ballot Questions

Fairfax City voters will decide four ballot questions: three proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution and a local referendum concerning an additional retail sales tax.

Fairfax City Sales Tax Referendum

The local referendum asks whether Fairfax City should be authorized to impose an additional retail sales tax of up to 1 percent.

The tax revenue would be restricted to capital projects involving the construction or renovation of schools serving Fairfax City, public transportation projects serving the city, or both. The money could also cover related bond and loan financing costs.

A yes vote would authorize the City Council to establish the tax, while a no vote would deny that authority.

Question 1: Reproductive Freedom

Question 1 concerns reproductive rights, including decisions about pregnancy, childbirth, contraception, abortion and fertility care.

A yes vote would establish constitutional protections for those decisions, subject to specified restrictions and exceptions. A no vote would leave the Virginia Constitution unchanged.

Question 2: Marriage Equality

Question 2 would remove the Virginia Constitution's existing prohibition on same-sex marriage and establish protections for marriage regardless of sex, gender or race.

A yes vote would approve the amendment. A no vote would retain the existing constitutional language, although same-sex marriage would remain legal under current federal constitutional protections.

Question 3: Restoration Of Voting Rights

Question 3 would change how voting rights are restored to people convicted of felonies.

A yes vote would automatically restore voting rights upon release from incarceration. A no vote would keep the existing system that requires restoration of rights.

Voting On Election Day

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Fairfax City residents can find their assigned polling places through the Virginia Department of Elections voter information portal.

Early in-person voting ended Saturday, Oct. 31. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail was Oct. 23.

Voters who have already received absentee ballots can return them to the secure drop box outside the City Hall Atrium entrance facing George Mason Boulevard, at 10455 Armstrong St., until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The county must receive completed absentee ballots returned in person by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by noon on Friday, Nov. 6.

Virginia allows eligible residents who missed the Oct. 23 registration deadline to register through Election Day and cast a provisional ballot.

Voters can check their registration status through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal.

Fairfax City voters can also review the official sample ballot before heading to the polls.

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