2021 Vienna Town Election Approaches: 5 Things To Know

VIENNA, VA — On Tuesday, May 4, Town of Vienna voters will cast their ballots in the annual town election. Three Town Council seats are up for grabs, and four candidates are running.

Early in-person voting runs through May 1, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The early voting location is the Fairfax County Office of Elections, Suite 323, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035. Voters who requested an absentee ballot by mail must have it received by the Fairfax County Office of Elections by noon on Friday, May 7.

If you haven't voted early, you can vote on May 4. Below are five things to know ahead of the town election.

1. Registered Town of Vienna voters can cast a ballot.

You must be a Town of Vienna resident registered to vote in Virginia to vote in the May 4 town election. The deadline to register for the May 4 town election was April 12. Residents may confirm their registration status through the Virginia Department of Elections' citizen portal.

2. Four candidates are running for Town Council.

Vienna's Town Council is made up of the mayor and six council members elected to staggered two-year terms. The non-partisan Town Council elections are held every year, but not every seat is up for election each year. In 2021, three council seats will be decided in the May 4 election.

Four candidates are running for Town Council. Three of the candidates — Nisha Patel, Steve Potter and Howard Springsteen — are incumbents. David Patariu is running as a newcomer.

To see questionnaires completed by each candidate on Patch, click the links below.

• David Patariu
• Nisha Patel
• Steve Potter
• Howard Springsteen

Residents may also view a recording of the Meet the Candidate forum hosted by the North East Vienna Citizens Association and Vienna Business Association.

3. Voting happens at the Vienna Community Center.

While state and national elections feature voting at your assigned polling place, Vienna's annual town elections host in-person voting on May 4 at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna, VA 22180. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 4.

4. An acceptable form of identification is required to vote in person.

A new Virginia law that went into effect in 2020 changed the identification requirement. While a photo ID used to be required for in-person voting, Virginia voters now have to show some acceptable form of ID. Some examples of acceptable forms of ID are a Virginia driver's license, valid DMV-issued ID, valid student ID, U.S. military ID, current utility bill or paycheck, voter confirmation documents, and more.

5. Social distancing measures will be followed.

Like last year's Town election, social distancing will be maintained in the voting room in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Fairfax County guidelines.

SEE ALSO: June Primary Early Voting Starts In Vienna Area