On or before Tuesday, November 3, Americans will cast their votes for our next President. Michael McDonald, director of the U.S. Elections Project expects the greatest voter turnout in a century, projecting that votes cast in 2020 could total more than 145 million, up from 133 million in 2016. With these record numbers expected, now is the perfect time to plan when — and how — you’ll vote.

With Election Day less than a month away and many key deadlines approaching, we wanted to share all you need to know about voting in Alexandria.

Voting in Virginia

To vote by mail in Virginia, request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23. Virginia residents can request a mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application (filling out the application completely, following these detailed instructions)

Virginia voters can cast their votes long before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Friday, September 18 to Saturday, October 31. Exact dates and hours vary based by location.

All Virginia Election Day polling location hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those people in line to vote at 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote. No one arriving at the polls after 7 p.m. is permitted to vote.

Be sure to bring your ID!

Check this list for a list of acceptable forms of identification.

Voting in Alexandria City

In-person absentee (or early) voting begins on Friday, September 18 and continues through Saturday, October 31. Early voting locations are the Office of Voter Registration & Elections (132 North Royal Street, Suite 100), Beatley Library (5005 Duke Street), Minnie Howard School (3801 W. Braddock Road – Saturdays Only), and George Washington School (1005 Mount Vernon Avenue – Saturdays Only).

Alexandria residents can find their voting district and polling locations here.

Voting in Alexandria – Fairfax County

Early voting is underway (weekdays only) in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035) is the only early voting location until October 14, when additional sites will open. Any registered voter can early vote at any of these locations. These fourteen sites are the following government centers: Franconia, Mason, McLean, Mount Vernon, North County, Providence, Sully, and West Springfield and the Centreville Regional, Herndon Fortnightly, Thomas Jefferson, and Tysons-Pimmit Libraries, as well as Laurel Hill Golf Course.

Registered Fairfax County voters can vote early, casting their ballot at any early voting site. You do not need to submit an application to early vote, but you must drop off a completed mailed absentee ballot to locations when they are open for early voting. Ballot drop-off boxes are located outside the voting room. The last day to vote early is Saturday, October 31.

Fairfax County voters can find their Election Day polling location here.

The Bottom Line

If you’ll be voting in Alexandria this year, do your research and planning now! Whether you’re voting by mail or in person, early or on Election Day, it’s wise to have your plan in place now.