Politics & Government

Reston 2022 General Election: Guide To Candidates, How To Vote

November's general election features a race for the 11th congressional district. The deadline for voter registration is Monday, Oct. 17.

November's general election features a race for the 11th congressional district. The deadline for voter registration is Monday, Oct. 17.
November's general election features a race for the 11th congressional district. The deadline for voter registration is Monday, Oct. 17. (Michael O'Connell/Patch)

RESTON, VA — Reston voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8 to decide the 11th congressional district race. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Congressional races are the only elections in Fairfax County on Nov. 8, except local races in the Town of Herndon and the City of Fairfax. In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law moving municipal races, which are traditionally nonpartisan, from May to November. This will be the first time Town of Herndon and Fairfax City races will be on the November ballot.

The deadline for voter registration in Virginia is Monday, Oct. 17.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the 11th congressional district, incumbent Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Fairfax) faces Republican challenger Jim Myles. The 11th congressional district is considered solid Democrat in the 2022 Cook Political Report's House race ratings.

Connolly is in his seventh term as the representative for the 11th congressional district, is a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, is chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and is a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He previously served 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including five years as the chairman.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Myles, the Republican challenger, is a retired federal judge and U.S. Air Force veteran. He was chosen as a candidate during a May Republican convention.

After redistricting, the 11th congressional district still contains all of the City of Fairfax, but borders are adjusted elsewhere. The redrawn map no longer includes parts of Prince William County and contains more of Fairfax County.

How to Vote on Election Day

Fairfax County residents registered to vote in Virginia can vote in the election by visiting their polling place between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. To check your polling place, visit vote.elections.virginia.gov or see maps of precincts in Fairfax County.

An acceptable form of identification is required for in-person voting in Virginia.

A sample ballot for the 11th congressional district in Fairfax County is available here.

How to Vote Early

Early voting is another option, and Virginia voters no longer not need an excuse to vote early.

In-person early voting does not require an application in advance. Voters need an acceptable form of identification to vote in person.

Here are the early voting locations and times in Fairfax County:

Fairfax County Government Center

  • 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays through Nov. 4
  • Saturday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 30: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mount Vernon Governmental Center

  • 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays through Nov. 4
  • Saturday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 30: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

North County Governmental Center

  • 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays through Nov. 4
  • Saturday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 30: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Burke Centre Library, Centreville Regional Library, Franconia Governmental Center, Great Falls Library, Herndon-Fortnightly Library, Lorton Community Center, Mason Governmental Center, McLean Governmental Center, Providence Community Center, Sully Governmental Center, Thomas Jefferson Library, Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, West Springfield Governmental Center

  • 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays Oct. 27 through Nov. 4
  • Saturday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 30: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 5: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A mail-in ballot is another option. Applications to request a mail-in ballot are due by Oct. 28. Completed ballots must be returned to the Fairfax County Office of Election by 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 or postmarked by Nov. 8 and received by the Office of Elections by noon on Nov. 14.

To request a mail-in ballot, visit vote.elections.virginia.gov, download an application online, or pick up a paper application at Fairfax County Public Library locations or county governmental centers.

Another way to return a mail-in ballot is by drop box. A ballot drop box is available until 7 p.m. Nov. 8 front of the Fairfax County Government Center 24/7 under video surveillance. Ballot drop boxes will also be provided during voting hours at early voting sites and at all polling places from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 8.

How to Register to Vote or Update Voter Registration

Oct. 17 is the deadline for voter registration or updating an existing voter registration (such as an address change). The easiest way to register or check your registration is online at vote.elections.virginia.gov by Oct. 17.

Fairfax County residents may also download an application on the Office of Elections website, visit the Office of Elections, or pick up an application at a Fairfax County Public Library location, Fairfax County supervisor's office or county governmental center. Returned applications must be postmarked on or before Oct. 17.

Voters who do not update their registration before the Oct. 17 deadline can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day through the same day registration process.

Where To Find Election Results

Unofficial election results will start to come in after polls close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Follow Patch on Election Day for live coverage of congressional election results.

For more information about the upcoming election or voting in Fairfax County, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections.


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