[Archived] Alexandria Provides Information for Candidates for Local Elected Office

This news release has been updated to reflect accurate filing fees for Mayor and City Council.

For Immediate Release: March 4, 2021

The Alexandria General Registrar provides information for candidates interested in running for local elected offices. On November 2, Alexandria voters will elect a Mayor; the six other members of the City Council; all members of the Alexandria School Board; the Commonwealth’s Attorney; and the Sheriff. The ballot will also include Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and members of the House of Delegates. 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 25. 

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 follows.

Political Party Candidates for Mayor and City Council

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 they select, 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 2% of the salary of the office sought ($750 for Council, $830 for Mayor, and 2% of the base salary for Commonwealth's Attorney and Sheriff) by 5 p.m. on March 25. Candidates in primary elections must also file the appropriate paperwork:

• Declaration of Candidacy, Candidate petitions (with 125 signatures of qualified Alexandria voters) and primary filing fee receipt, must be filed with the local Party Chair between noon on March 8, and 5 p.m. on March 25.
• Certificate of Candidate Qualification and Statement of Economic Interests, which must be filed with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office by 5 p.m. on March 25.

In addition to any fees or paperwork the party requires, candidates in caucuses and canvasses must file a Certificate of Candidate Qualification and a Statement of Economic Interests with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office by 7 p.m. on June 8.

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, City Council, Commonwealth's Attorney or Sheriff as an independent candidate must file the following paperwork with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office by 7 p.m. on June 8. 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 nonpartisan. All candidates run as independents by district and must file the following paperwork with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office by 7 p.m. on June 8. 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, School Board, Commonwealth's Attorney or Sheriff, 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:

1. Acceptance of a contribution
2. Expenditure of any funds
3. The payment of a filing fee for any party nomination method
4. The filing of a candidate statement of qualification
5. 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: office@alexdems.org or 703.549.3367
• Alexandria Republican City Committee: info@alexgop.org or 571.281.7042
• Virginia Department of Elections, whose website includes local candidate bulletins and all the required filing forms.
• Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal St., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314, Angie Maniglia Turner, General Registrar, voters@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4050.