The City of Alexandria has confirmed the April 21 special election date for an open seat on City Council, and candidates are required to file by the end of this week.
Candidates are required to have all paperwork submitted to the General Registrar by 5 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 27 in order to appear on the ballot, according to a city announcement this afternoon (Monday).
The race is being held to fulfill a vacancy left by former Councilman R. Kirk McPike, who was recently sworn into the House of Delegates and now represents the 5th District, succeeding Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who was elected to State Senate.
A candidate bulletin and required forms are available on the state’s Department of Elections website. Forms and precinct maps are also available at the Alexandria Voter Registration Office (132 N. Royal Street).
City Council requested the April 21 special election date earlier this month through a unanimously approved resolution, aiming to “reduce election costs and avoid voter confusion associated with multiple elections held in close succession,” according to the resolution. A statewide referendum to redraw congressional maps was expected to be held April 21, but its future remains uncertain after being blocked by a state court last Thursday.
The city announcement comes after former Alexandria Democratic Committee Chair Sandy Marks secured her party’s nomination in a firehouse primary on Saturday. She is slated to face at least one opponent, Frank Fannon, a former Republican member of City Council who is running as an independent.
More details from the city’s announcement are available, below.
Candidates for City Council
Independent candidates must file the following paperwork with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office by 5 p.m. on February 27, 2026. There is no filing fee.
- Declaration of Candidacy
- Petitions of Qualified Voters (with 125 signatures of qualified voters in the City of Alexandria)
- Certificate of Candidate Qualifications
- Statement of Economic Interests
Candidates nominated by a political party must file the following paperwork with the Office of Voter Registration by the filing deadline on February 27, 2026.
- Certificate of Candidate Qualification
- Statement of Economic Interests
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
Any individual campaigning for City Council must also file regular campaign finance reports and a Statement of Organization. The Statement of Organization must be submitted to the Alexandria Voter Registration Office within 10 days of meeting any one of the following conditions:
- Acceptance of a contribution
- Expenditure of any funds
- The payment of a filing fee for any party nomination method
- The filing of a candidate statement of qualification
- The appointment of a campaign treasurer, designation of a campaign committee or designation of a campaign depository.
For more information, contact:
- Virginia Department of Elections, whose website includes local candidate bulletins and all the required filing forms.
- Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections,132 North Royal St., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314, Angie Maniglia Turner, General Registrar, voters@
alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4050
