More than 2,000 Arlington voters cast ballots Friday [9/20], the first day of early voting in Virginia.
Most (1,576) did so at the Ellen Bozman Government Center in Courthouse, with an additional 470 at the satellite center at Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center, according to Arlington election officials.
As of Sept. 1, Arlington had 158,972 active voters (plus an additional 24,043 whose status currently is inactive), according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
Early voting at the two sites will continue through early November. In mid-October, additional satellite sites will be opened at Madison Community Center and Walter Reed Community Center. Voting on Nov. 5 will take place at 54 precincts countywide.
Adding the Long Bridge Park early-voting option this year was aimed at assisting residents in a fast-growing area of the county. Having more people voting early will reduce waiting times for those casting ballots at polling places in Crystal City and its vicinity Nov. 5, election officials said earlier this year.
Under state law, a locality’s governing body such as the Arlington County Board has the authority to determine if satellite-voting facilities will be used, and where they will be located. But local elections officials, who do not report to those governing bodies, are responsible for setting dates and times those sites will be in use.
