2016 Presidential Primary is Tuesday: What to Know

Virginia will go to the polls Tuesday, March 1 as part of Super Tuesday, an important primary day in the 2016 Presidential race.

There are primaries or caucuses in 11 states.

Here is what you need to know:

There will be two primaries held in each poll location in Fairfax County. Registered voters can vote for either a Democratic candidate or a Republican candidate, but not both. You do not register to vote to vote by party in Virginia.

The Presidential Primary ballots were printed in advance of absentee voting, which started in January. Several candidates have since withdrawn from the election.

Earlier this month, the State Board of Elections approved the Republican Party of Virginia’s request to rescind use of a statement of affiliation to vote in the Republican Party Primary. Voters who request a Republican ballot for the March 1 Primary will not be asked to sign a statement of affiliation. More information will be found at http://elections.virginia.gov/.

Here is a Democrat sample ballot.

Here is a Republican sample ballot.

Fairfax County Public Schools also announced last week school will be closed on Tuesday. The school board had voted for a two-hour delay, but with a heavy turnout expected, the board voted to close for the day.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bring your ID

There are several forms of acceptable photo ID:

• Virginia driver’s license
• U.S. passport
• Military ID
• Federal, Virginia or local government-issued photo ID cards
• Complete list from the Virginia Department of Elections

If you do not have a photo ID, you can get a free photo ID from the Office of Elections. Contact them at 703-222-0776, TTY 711, or email [email protected].

Where to vote

Not sure where your polling spot is? Visit this online tool on the Fairfax County Board of Elections website.

In Reston, there have been a couple of changes since the last election. The Terraset precinct polling place has been moved to Langston Hughes Middle School. There is also a new district in North Reston. A new precinct at Armstrong Elementary was created by dividing Aldrin and North Point precincts.

The northern portion of North Point precinct combined with the northern portion of Aldrin will retain the name “North Point,” with polling place at St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston. The southern portion of Aldrin retains the name “Aldrin” and polling place at Aldrin Elementary School.

Unsure if those changes affect you? Enter your address in the online tool or contact the board of elections.