Early voters participating in the Democratic primary are far outnumbering those in the Republican primary, according to data from the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections.
Thousands of votes have been cast in about a month of early voting for the Aug. 4 primary elections.
As of July 19, 3,600 votes have been counted in the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District — 2,798 from mail-in ballots and 802 from in-person early voting. In all, 7,205 Democratic mail ballots have been sent to voters.
In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, 340 votes have been counted — 300 through mail-in ballots and 40 from in-person early voting. Voters requested a total of 1,027 mail ballots to date.
Voters are not registered by party in Virginia, so they can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. As of the February 2026 special election, Alexandria had over 116,000 registered voters.
In the 8th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Don Beyer faces several challengers — former Alexandria City Council Member Mo Seifeldein, fired State Department worker Michael Duffin, veteran and former CIA officer Adam Dunigan and military family advocate Lorena Bruner. The Democratic primary winner will face Republican Tony Sabio in the Nov. 3 general election.
The Republican primary for U.S. Senate will determine a nominee to face Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who is running for a fifth term as Virginia’s senior senator. Republican primary candidates are retired Army Maj. Gen. Bert Mizusawa, former federal employee and tech executive Kim Farington and veteran and former CIA officer David Williams. Warner will face the Republican nominee on Nov. 3.
Friday, July 24 will be the deadline both for voter registration and applying for a mail ballot.
Virginia residents who are U.S. citizens and will be 18 or older by the Nov. 3 general election can register to vote in the primary. Residents must be registered to vote or update their existing registration by July 24, although same-day registration through Aug. 4 allows new voters to cast a provisional ballot that is verified post-election night.
Voter registration is available online through the Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal or by mail or in person through the Office of Voter Registration and Elections.
Voters who want a mail ballot can apply online, download an application from the Office of Voter Registration and Elections or call 703-746-4050 to request that an application be mailed. Voters who plan to cast a ballot in person should not submit mail-in ballot applications, the registrar’s office says.
Ballots can be returned by mail or drop boxes. A secure outdoor drop box under video surveillance is available through 7 p.m. Aug. 4 in front of the Office of Voter Registration and Elections. Ballot drop boxes will also be offered at all polling places, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 4 and Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library during early voting hours.
Saturday, Aug. 1, at 5 p.m. will be the deadline to vote early in person at the Office of Voter Registration (132 N. Royal Street, Suite 100) or the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street).
Remaining early voting hours are:
Office of Voter Registration and Elections (132 N. Royal St., Suite 100)
Normal Business hours:
- Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Additional and Extended Hours:
- Saturday, July 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 28, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Thursday, July 30, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday, August 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St.)
Open for early voting only during these hours:
- Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Saturday, August 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
On Election Day (Aug. 4), voters can head to their assigned polling place with an accepted form of ID between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Alexandria residents can find sample ballots and more information on voting on the Office of Voter Registration and Elections website.
