2026 Midterm Elections

MAIL-IN BALLOTS

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, there has been significant news coverage regarding the current administration's efforts to give the United States Postal Service (USPS) greater control over whether a ballot is delivered to a voter or returned from the voter to the registrar for counting. This is an ongoing legal situation, and the rules may change as related cases move through the courts.

The League of Women Voters is closely monitoring these developments. For now, voters should take these steps:

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE

We have 45 days of early voting in Virginia and several weekend voting options – put voting on your calendar! Visit our Voter Resources page for everything you need.

Didn't Receive Your Ballot in the Mail?

If you're on the permanent absentee ballot list, your ballot should be mailed from your local registrar's office on September 18.‍ ‍

If you haven't received it by early October:

• Go to an early voting location and vote in person (available September 18 – October 31), or

• Vote in person at your precinct on Election Day, November 3, 2026. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Requested a Ballot but Haven't Received It?

If you're not on the permanent absentee list but requested a ballot and haven't received it within two weeks, follow the same steps above.

What to Say

In either case, simply let poll workers know that you did not receive your ballot in the mail.

Note: If you wait until Election Day (November 3) and your absentee ballot was never received, you will have to vote using a provisional ballot.

VOTE EARLY!

• Fairfax County Early Voting options

• City of Fairfax Early Voting options

Early voting is available Monday through Friday starting September 18, 2026, as well as on these weekend dates:

• Sunday, October 18, 2026

• Saturday, October 24, 2026

• Sunday, October 25, 2026

• Saturday, October 31, 2026

AFRAID TO VOTE BY MAIL?

If you've received your mail-in ballot but are hesitant to return it by mail, you can complete it and drop it off at a Drop Box instead.

Drop Box Locations

• Fairfax County Government Center Drop Box located at 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA (outside the front entrance of the building, on the brick plaza to the left, near the handicap parking spaces). It is available 24 hours a day starting September 18, 2026.

• City of Fairfax City Hall Drop Box located at 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA 22030 (outside the City Hall Atrium entrance facing George Mason Blvd). It is available 24 hours a day starting September 18, 2026.

• All Early Voting locations between September 18 and October 31.

  • Fairfax County Early Voting options

  • City of Fairfax Early Voting options

• At every precinct on Election Day, November 3.