Alexandria will elect its City Council, Mayor and School Board on November 3, 2015. The process for getting on the November ballot varies depending on the selected office (Council, Mayor or School Board) and political party (Democrat, Republican or Independent).
The Virginia Department of Elections website includes local candidate informational bulletins and all the required filing forms. Here is a summary of what gets filed where, and when.
Democratic Party Candidates for City Council and Mayor
The Democratic Party will nominate its candidates for Alexandria City Council and Mayor by primary, which will be held on June 9. Candidate petitions, a receipt for the primary filing fee (2% of the salary of the office sought; $550 for Council, $610 for Mayor) and several other forms must be filed by 5pm on March 26, 2015.
The petitions (with 125 signatures of qualified Alexandria voters) and primary filing fee receipt go to the Alexandria Democratic Committee Party Chair; the rest of the paperwork goes to the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections.
Republican Party Candidates for City Council and Mayor
The Republican Party has chosen to nominate its candidates for Alexandria City Council and Mayor by party canvass. For more information on the Republican Party’s rules and requirements, please contact the Republican Party directly.
In addition, candidates must file several forms with the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, and these forms are due no later than 7 p.m. on June 9.
Independent Candidates for City Council and Mayor
Alexandrians who wish to run for City Council or Mayor as independent candidates must file their petitions (with 125 signatures of qualified Alexandria voters) and all other paperwork with the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections no later than 7 p.m. on June 9, 2015. There is no filing fee.
Candidates for School Board
School Board elections in Alexandria are non-partisan. All candidates run as independents by district and must file their petitions (with 125 signatures of qualified voters from their district) and all other paperwork with the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections no later than 7 p.m. on June 9. There is no filing fee.
Candidates for Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates
The November 3, 2015 ballot in Alexandria will also include Virginia State Senate (30th, 35th and 39th Districts) and House of Delegates (45th and 46th Districts). Alexandrians wishing to run for these offices should contact the Voter Registration Office for more information. Filing deadlines vary depending on the selected office (House or Senate), District, and political party (Democrat, Republican or Independent). Some deadlines are as early as 5pm on March 26, 2015.
Campaign Finance Requirements for All Offices
In addition to all of these candidate filing deadlines, there are also deadlines for submitting campaign finance reports, including the campaign’s Statement of Organization which must be filed within 10 days of beginning certain campaign activity. For more information on campaign finance, please review the Virginia Department of Elections website or contact the Alexandria Voter Registration Office.
