Summary

About

The city is 17 miles west of Washington, D.C. The city is part of the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as a part of Northern Virginia.

The City of Fairfax Charter requires the City Council to appoint a City Manager who is the executive officer of the city government. The City Manager is selected to serve the city for an indefinite term and is selected solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications and experience.

The city is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as a part of Northern Virginia.

The Washington Metro’s Orange Line serves Fairfax through its Vienna station, which is a mile northwest of the city limits. CUE Bus and Metrobus operate in Fairfax. Virginia Railway Express’s Burke Centre stationis situated three miles southeast of the city’s boundaries. Virginia’s largest public educational institution with 33,917 students in 2013 is George Mason University, which is located in unincorporated Fairfax County, along the city’s southern border.

Nestled in the suburban expanse of the Washington DC metro region, the City of Fairfax, Virginia, with its hallmark landscaped and leafy street medians, is an oasis, unique and brimming with vitality that recently has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top three places to live in the nation.

It was, and still is, at the crossroads of Northern Virginia. It’s just 20 minutes from Washington, DC, with an attractive blend of commercial, office, retail and residential properties. It combines the charm of a small town with the opportunities of a thriving urban area.

Our residents aren’t surprised with the city’s many top rankings on “quality-of-life” lists.  It simply comes with the territory for this small city of 24,000 known for its superior “small town” community feel situated in a world-class metropolitan region.

Whether being recognized for receiving the nationally prestigious gold medal for our parks and recreation programs, achieving the coveted AAA bond rating for our financial strengths, or placing 12^th among all jurisdictions nationally for the percentage of city occupations in the “creative class,” the city has a reputation for achievement, as well as a place of enjoyment and fun for its residents.

Our city is widely known for outstanding cultural amenities.  Every year the city sponsors world-class events such as Fall for the Book, Spotlight on the Arts, and a fun two-day Chocolate Lovers Festival. This is in addition to our three annual flagship events: the day-long Independence Day celebration, long recognized as having the best parade and most colorful fireworks in the area; our brilliant October Fall Festival where our closed-off downtown streets are clogged with hundreds of renown craft merchants and thousands of visitors; and our Holiday Craft Show that fills our high school with amazing handcrafted wares that bring shoppers from surrounding states.

Perhaps the most important area of all, the city is rightfully proud of its support for the educational opportunities afforded its children.   Fairfax High School recently received US News and World Report’s Gold Award, its highest recognition, for placing in the top 250 out of more than 22,000 schools nationally.  Broad-based community support for schools is evidenced by a recent passage of a General Obligation bond referendum by more than 80 percent of those at the polls. Acclaimed George Mason University sits on the city’s southern border and enjoys an excellent town-gown relationship with the city. The university provides the community with world-class thinkers, musical and cultural events, nationally recognized sports teams and Olympic athletes.

The City of Fairfax:  a sense of place, a sense of history, a sense of belonging.  Check out everything the City of Fairfax has to offer!

Election News & Events

Candidate Forum Wednesday, April 11, 2018
When:   7:00 PM  9:00 PM
Where: Stacy C Sherwood Community Center
3740 Old Lee HighwayFairfax, VA, 22030

Meet Fairfax City Council Candidates
Four incumbents, four challengers vie in May 1 election
Fairfax Connection, April, 22, 2018

How to Vote

On Election Day

1. Voters show a valid form of photo ID and provide their name and current address to an Election Officer.
2. The Election Officer verifies the photo ID is valid, repeats the voter’s name and address out loud, checks the voter’s name off the poll book & gives the voter a voting permit.
3. The voter proceeds to the ballot table, gives the voting permit to the Ballot Officer in exchange for a paper ballot.
4. The voter will mark their paper ballot in the privacy booth with the pen provided.
5. The voter proceeds to the scanner (OVO) & inserts the ballot.
6. Voter receives an “I Voted” sticker & the process is complete.

What Identification Do I need?

How do I find my polling place?

What voting equipment will I use?

The City of Fairfax uses Unisyn OpenElect voting systems.  Unisyn OpenElect voting systems were selected as the most accurate and durable paper based voting system available in Virginia.

On Election Day every precinct will be equipped with an OpenElect Voting Optical scanning and tabulating voting device (OVO).  For voters with vision challenges and other disabilities, each precinct will also have an OpenElect Voting Interface ballot marking device (OVI)  to assist voters to vote independently and privately.

Scanning Machine (OVO)                            ADA Ballot Marking Device (OVI)

What if I cannot go to my polling place on Election Day?

     In-person and by-mail absentee voting is available to anyone who can not be in there polling place on Election Day. Find out more about Absentee Voting.

Voter ID Requirements

Virginia Requires Photo ID to Vote

Virginia law requires all voters to provide an acceptable form of photo identification (photo ID) at the polls. Voters arriving to the polls without photo ID will be required to vote a provisional ballot and will have until noon on the Friday after the election to deliver a copy of identification to their locality’s electoral board in order for their provisional ballot to be counted. Please see below in “Provisional Ballot Process for Voters Without Identification” for more information on how the provisional ballot process will work for those arriving to the polls without ID.

Virginia’s photo ID requirements also apply to absentee voters who vote in-person in all elections.
Acceptable forms of identification for in-person voting include the following:

• Valid Virginia Driver’s License or Identification Card
• Valid Virginia DMV issued Veteran’s ID card
• Valid United States Passport
• Valid Employee photo identification card
• Other government-issued photo identification cards (must be issued by US Government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth
• Valid college or university student photo identification card (must be from an institution of higher education located in Virginia
• Employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business
• Virginia Voter Photo ID Card obtained through any Virginia General Registrar’s Office
• Valid public or private high school photo ID

A voter who does not bring an acceptable photo ID to the polls will be offered a provisional ballot. 

Don’t have one of these forms of ID?

Any registered voter who does not possess one of the above mentioned forms of photo ID, may apply for a free Virginia Voter Photo Identification from any General Registrar’s Office in the Commonwealth. Voters applying for the Virginia Voter Photo ID Card will have to complete the Virginia Voter Photo Identification Card Application, have their picture taken, and sign the digital signature pad. Once the application is processed, the card will be mailed directly to the voter.

Provisional Ballot Process for Voters Without Identification

A voter who arrives at the polling place without an acceptable form of photo identification will be given the opportunity to vote a provisional ballot. After completing the provisional ballot, the individual voting will be given written instructions from the election officials on how to submit a copy of his/her identification so that his/her vote can be counted.

A voter will have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of the identification to the local electoral board. Voters may submit a copy of their ID via fax, email, in-person submission, or through USPS or commercial delivery service. Please note that the copy of the ID must be delivered to the electoral board by noon on Friday, or the provisional ballot cannot be counted. A Friday postmark will not be sufficient if the copy of the ID is not delivered to the electoral board by noon on Friday.

The written notice given to the voter will provide the necessary information, including email, fax, and address of where the ID should be delivered.

Also by noon on Friday following the election, the voter may appear in-person in the Office of the General Registrar, in the locality in which the provisional ballot was cast, and apply for a Virginia Voter Photo ID Card. At the completion of the application process, the voter may request a Temporary Identification Document. This document may be provided to the electoral board to suffice the identification requirement.

The written notice given to the voter will provide the necessary information, including email, fax, and address of where the ID should be delivered.

Special Federal ID Requirements for Certain First Time Voters

For persons who registered to vote in Virginia by mail, federal law requires them to show identification (ID) when voting absentee by mail for the first time in a Federal Election if they did not send a copy of an acceptable ID with their voter registration applications.

For more information on Photo ID, visit the Department of Elections Website  or call 1-800-552-9745.

City Polling Locations

Where is the polling place for my neighborhood?

• Lookup your polling place

City of Fairfax Polling Place Information

The polls in the Commonwealth of Virginia are open every Election Day from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voters will not be admitted to the polls after 7:00 p.m. Registered voters waiting in line to vote at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

All polling places in the City of Fairfax are accessible to the handicapped. By law, registered voters arriving at the polls to vote who are 65 or older, or disabled, may request that a ballot be brought outside to them (“curbside” or “Outside the Polls” voting.) The voter must be within 150 feet of the polling place entrance. Voters wishing to vote curbside are encouraged to call 703-385-7890 before going to their polling place. This will facilitate the curbside voting experience.

Virginia Law requires each voter to display identification before voting.
Voters are encouraged to leave ample time for voting, especially during peak travel hours.

Map and Precinct Locations – Printer Friendly

Precinct One

• Fairfax Presbyterian Church 10723 Main Street

Precinct Two

• Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center 3740 Old Lee Highway

Precinct Three

• Daniels Run School 3705 Old Lee Highway

Precinct Four

• Fairfax City Hall Annex,  10455 Armstrong Street, Work Session Room #111

Precinct Five

• Fairfax High School 3501 Rebel Run

Precinct Six

• Christ Lutheran Church 3810 Meredith Drive

City Elections

The City of Fairfax has a council/manager form of government. The mayor and six councilmembers are elected every two years on an at-large, non-partisan basis. The current term expires 6/30/2018. The governing body does not have offices in the City Hall, but can be reached through the City Manager’s Office at 703.385.7850. The current mayor and councilmembers are listed below.

Elections Calendar

2018 Election Schedule

May 1, 2018 City of Fairfax General Election (2 year term)

• Offices on the ballot:  Mayor, City Council, School Board

June 12, 2018 Commonwealth Primary (if called)

• Offices on the ballot:  U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives (11 District)

November 6, 2018 Commonwealth General Election

• Offices on the ballot:  U.S. Senate (six year term), U.S. House of Representatives (two year term)

2019 Election Schedule

June 11, 2019 Commonwealth Primary (if called)

• Offices on the ballot:  Virginia Senate 34th District, Virginia House of Delegates 37th District, Fairfax City and County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fairfax City and County Sheriff

November 5, 2019 Commonwealth General Election

• Offices on the ballot:  Virginia Senate 34th District (Four year term), Virginia House of Delegates 37th District ( two year term), Fairfax City and County Commonwealth’s Attorney (four year term), Fairfax City and County Sheriff (Four year term)

Voter Registration

You may submit an application for voter registration or update your current registration at any time. Be mindful that registration is closed during the 21 days before any general or primary election, six days before a special election for statewide office and 13 days before other special elections.  If you are already registered to vote at your current address and have not moved, your registration is still valid and you do not need to take any action.

What are the qualifications to register to vote?

• Citizen of the United States
• Resident of Virginia
• At least 18 years old at the time of the next General Election
• Have had your rights restored if convicted of a felony or judged mentally incapacitated

How do I register to vote?

• Register or update your registration quickly and easily Online. If you do not have a DMV record, you will be prompted to print, sign and mail your Voter Registration Application
• Complete a Virginia Voter Registration Application and mail it to the address below

What if I have moved or changed my name?

You are required to keep your registration up-to-date with your current name and residence address. A failure to do so may prevent you from voting or cause a delay in voting on Election Day.

• Update your name or address online here
• Complete a Virginia Voter Registration Application and mail it to the address below
• Complete the change of address form on the back of your voter registration card
• Military and Overseas Voters please click here

How do I cancel my voter registration?

If you no longer live in Virginia, or wish to cancel your Virginia voter registration, please complete, sign and submit a Request To Cancel form. You may mail, fax, or scan and email your completed form to the address below. 

Voter registration applications are also available at:

• Public Libraries
• Post Office
• Department of Motor Vehicles

Absentee Voting

Voters who are unable to vote at their polling place on Election Day may absentee vote in person or by mail. You may apply for a by-mail ballot up to 12 months prior to the election in which you wish to vote. You must complete an application and provide one of the eligible reasons why you are unable to vote in your precinct. For a full list of eligible reasons and complete information regarding eligibility for absentee voting, please visit the Virginia Department of Elections website here. In Virginia, ALL absentee ballots are counted on Election Day.

If, instead of returning your voted ballot, you decide to go to the polls on Election Day, you must take you ballot with you or you will be required to vote a provisional ballot.

By Mail

How can I get a ballot mailed to me?

• You may apply online using your DMV customer number or,
• Complete, sign, and mail, fax, or email an Absentee Ballot Application Form
• The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is 5 p.m., 7 days before any election

How do I return my  Ballot?

• Ballots may be mailed to the address listed below
• Ballots may be hand delivered only by the voter to the address listed below.
• Ballots must be received before the polls close on Election Day at 7 p.m. in order to be counted

Where is my Ballot?

• Check the status of your absentee ballot here
• Go to the Absentee Ballot Tracker
• Enter your locality
• Complete the information in the form

Annual Application

If you have an on going illness or disability that prevents you from voting at you polling location, you may apply for an absentee application once per year instead of before each election.

• Download the Annual Application
• Complete the application following the instructions carefully
• Sign the application
• If this is your first annual application, you must also have a medical professional or religious practitioner sign the form
• Complete, sign, and mail, fax, or email the application
• Please contact our office at the number below for assistance in completing the application

In Person

• In person absentee voting begins 45 days prior to most elections
• Normal business hours are M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday hours are available two Saturdays before any November General Election and one Saturday before any Primary, Special or City General Election
• The final day to absentee vote in person is the final Saturday before the election
• Saturday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• In person absentee voting takes place at the address listed below
• You will be required to show photo ID in order to vote

Please follow this link if you are Military and/or Overseas

How to Run for Office

Candidate Information

Qualifications to be a candidate are:

• A resident of the Commonwealth for one year immediately preceding the election.
• A resident of the City of Fairfax for one year prior to the date of the Election.
• Qualified to vote for and hold the office for which one offers to stand for election.
• Comply with all the filing requirements. The deadline to file is the First Tuesday in March prior to the May elections. The deadline is the second Tuesday in June for November elections.

Prospective Candidates may order OR download a Candidate Information Bulletin and candidate qualification forms directly from the Virginia Department of Elections (ELECT) by calling 1-800-552-9745.

This bulletin provides:

• Filing forms and deadlines.
• Legal requirements and penalties for failure to comply.
• Information on other required forms (especially campaign financial filings).
• Answers to frequently asked questions about elections and candidates.

After reading the Candidates Bulletin, feel free to contact the General Registrar’s office for further explanation and any questions.

City of Fairfax Temporary Sign Permit for political signs must be obtained from the City’s Zoning Office before placing any signs in the City.

For more information

Go to Fairfax City website

Mayor 

David L. Meyer

A city resident since 1981, he has actively supported the Appalachia Service Project and the Fairfax Police Youth Club. He is a member of Fairfax United Methodist Church.  Meyer also is a Trustee of Randolph-Macon College.

Profile

Former Mayors

Steve Stombres
Former Mayor and Councilmember, Fairfax VA
Partner, Harbinger Strategies

John Mason
Mayor (1990-2002), City of Fairfax, Fairfax, VA
Former President & CEO, Workhouse Arts Center

City Council

Councilmember Michael J. DeMarco

Michael J. DeMarco is serving his fourth term on City Council.

DeMarco serves on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Metropolitan Air Quality Committee and Aviation Policy Committee; the Virginia Municipal League Community and Economic Development Committee; and the Potomac Watershed Roundtable, among others.

He previously served as chair of the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority.

Profile

Councilmember Janice B. Miller

Janice B. Miller is serving her fourth term on City Council.

Miller served her first term on City Council from 1992-94, and was elected for her second term in 2014.

Miller serves on numerous regional boards, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Human Services & Public Safety Policy Committee and the Virginia Municipal League Human Development and Education Committee.

Profile

Councilmember Jon R. Stehle, Jr.

Jon R. Stehle, Jr., is serving his second term on City Council.

Stehle, a city resident since 2007, has chaired the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He also served on the Green Acres Feasibility Study Committee and City of Fairfax Branding Advisory Committee.

The Oxford Row resident, who served as president of the Oxford Row Civic Association, is a strategic performance management lead with a federally funded research and development center. As a senior analyst with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), he received a GAO Meritorious Service Award in 2013.

Profile

Jennifer Passey

Jennifer Passey has served on the Fairfax City Council for one term.  She also served on the City’s Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and continues to be an active member of the community.

Profile

School Board

Jon Buttram

Carolyn Pitches

Bob Reinsel

Toby Sorensen

Mitch Sutterfield

Commissioner of the Revenue

The Commissioner of the Revenue Office is headed by Page Johnson. The Commissioner of the Revenue is one of five Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Officers. The others are Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Treasurer and Sheriff. The position was originally created in 1786. However, the modern Commissioner of the Revenue position was created in 1869 when the Virginia Constitution was rewritten and Virginia was readmitted to the Union following the Civil War.

The Commissioner of the Revenue is the chief tax assessing officer for the local government. Commissioners of the Revenue serve a four year term at the pleasure of the voters. Two Constitutional Officers, the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Treasurer directly represent the citizens of the City of Fairfax. City of Fairfax residents are also served by the Fairfax County Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney, and Sheriff, of under a contract agreement.

Page Johnson is serving his fifth term as the City of Fairfax Commissioner of the Revenue, one of five Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutional Officers representing the citizens of Fairfax). As Commissioner, Johnson is the Chief Assessing Officer of the City of Fairfax. He is the Chairman of the Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board; a member of the board of Historic Fairfax City, Inc., and editor of their newsletter – the Fare Facs Gazette;  past-President of the Commissioner of Revenue Association of Virginia; past president of the Fairfax Noonday Optimist Club; a former member (and secretary) of the Board of Visitors of George Mason University; past president of the Historical Society of Fairfax County. He is the author of Off to War: The Virginia Volunteers in the War with Mexico (2002), and Brothers and Cousins:  Confederate Soldiers and Sailors of Fairfax County, Virginia (1995).  Johnson is a lifelong resident of the City of Fairfax and a graduate of George Mason University (B.S, Finance). He is a fifth generation native of Fairfax, eleventh generation Virginian, and a direct lineal descendant of two signers of the Declaration of Independence – Governor Thomas Nelson, Jr. and Carter Braxton.  He resides in the Orchard Knolls neighborhood with his wife, Susan. They have two grown sons.

Send Commissioner of the Revenue Johnson your Comments/Feedback

Treasurer

The Treasurer’s Office headed by Tom Scibilia, who is elected by City residents, collects revenues, disburses monies, and is the custodian of City funds.

Send Tom Scibilia your Comments/Feedback 

Shared City/County Officials

Clerk of the Circuit Court

City voters elect the Clerk of the Circuit Court, one of the constitutional officers created by the Commonwealth’s constitution. The Clerk of the Circuit Court, who is elected to an 8-year term, is the official custodian of all court records and documents for both the city and Fairfax County.

The Clerk’s office is located on the third floor of the Jennings Building, 4110 Chain Bridge Road; 703.246.2770.

Commonwealth Attorney

As the chief law enforcement officer in the city and in Fairfax County, the Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes criminal cases, including all felonies occurring in the city. Residents of the city and Fairfax County elect the Commonwealth’s Attorney to a 4-year term.The principal focus of this office is major crimes, and the office works closely with the City of Fairfax Police Department.

Offices of the Commonwealth’s Attorney are located in the Fairfax County Judicial Center, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 123; 703.246.2776.

Sheriff 

The city shares a sheriff with Fairfax County and other local communities. The sheriff is an elected official who has criminal and civil jurisdiction in the city and surrounding jurisdictions. The sheriff, elected to a 4-year term, is responsible for securing the city’s General District Court, County Adult Detention Center and County Pre-Release Center, serving civil processes, and security of the Judicial Center and various county courts.

The Sheriff’s Office has more than 400 uniformed deputies and civilian employees. The office is located in the Judicial Center at 4110 Chain Bridge Road; 703.246.3227.

Visit the Elected Officials page for more information.

Candidates for City/County Offices

November 5, 2019 Commonwealth General Election

Offices on the ballot:  Fairfax City and County Commonwealth’s Attorney (four year term), Fairfax City and County Sheriff (Four year term)

TBD