Want to Run for Local Office? Need to Know the Deadlines and What Offices Are Up for Grabs?
The Alexandria General Registrar provides information for candidates interested in running for local elected offices. On November 6, 2018, Alexandria voters will elect a mayor, the six other members of the City Council, and all nine members of the Alexandria School Board. The process for getting on the November ballot varies based on the specific office and political party affiliation, with some filing deadlines as early as March 29.
The Virginia Department of Elections website includes candidate bulletins and required filing forms. Candidates may also pick up a forms packet and precinct map at the Alexandria Voter Registration Office. A summary of filing information is as follows:
Political Party Candidates for Mayor and City Council
The Democratic and Republican parties in Alexandria must each determine by February 27, 2018, whether to nominate candidates by a primary election on June 12 or a caucus or canvass between April 26 and June 12. Primary elections are administered by the Alexandria Voter Registration Office at regular public polling places and are open to all registered voters. Caucuses and canvasses are administered by political parties at polling places determined by the parties, and participation by candidates and voters is subject to state law and party rules.
A candidate in a primary election must pay a filing fee to the City Treasurer equaling two percent of the salary of the office sought ($550 for Council, $610 for Mayor) no later than 5 p.m. on March 29. Candidates in primary elections must also file the following paperwork:
- Declaration of Candidacy, Candidate petitions (with 125 signatures of qualified Alexandria voters) and primary filing fee receipt, which must be filed with the local Party Chair between noon on March 12, and 5 p.m. on March 29
- Certificate of Candidate Qualification and Statement of Economic Interests, which must be filed with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office no later than 5 p.m. on March 29
In addition to any fees or paperwork required by the party, candidates in caucuses and canvasses must file a Certificate of Candidate Qualification and a Statement of Economic Interests with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office no later than 7 p.m. on June 12.
For more information on nominating methods, please contact the local political parties directly.
Independent Candidates for Mayor and City Council
Alexandrians who wish to run for mayor or City Council as an independent candidate must file the following paperwork with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office no later than 7 p.m. on June 12. There is no filing fee.
- Declaration of Candidacy
- Candidate Petitions (with 125 signatures of qualified Alexandria voters)
- Certificate of Candidate Qualification
- Statement of Economic Interests
Candidates for School Board
School Board elections in Alexandria are non-partisan. All candidates run as independents by district and must file the following paperwork with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office no later than 7 p.m. on June 12. There is no filing fee.
- Declaration of Candidacy
- Candidate Petitions (with 125 signatures of qualified voters from their district)
- Certificate of Candidate Qualification
- Statement of Economic Interests
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
Any individual campaigning for mayor, City Council or School Board 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 pursuant; or
- The appointment of a campaign treasurer, designation of a campaign committee, or designation of a campaign depository.
The Alexandria Voter Registration Office posts new Statements of Organization as soon as they are received.
For more information, contact:
Alexandria Democratic Committee
www.alexdems.org
[email protected]
703.549.3367
Alexandria Republican City Committee
www.alexgop.org
[email protected]
571.281.7042
Virginia Department of Elections
The Department of Elections website includes local candidate bulletins and all the required filing forms.
Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections
alexandriava.gov/Elections
132 North Royal St., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314
Anna Leider, General Registrar
[email protected]
703.746.4050
