Although Virginia does not have “early voting” (voting without having to cite a reason for needing to vote before election day), absentee-in-person voting begins this Friday, Sept. 21. There are 19 acceptable reasons for why a person may request to vote absentee. The list is on the website of the State Board of Elections.

The registrar’s office in the Falls Church City Hall, adjacent the main entrance, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the last two Saturdays (Oct. 27 and Nov 3) before the election. On weekdays during the last two weeks before the election, absentee-in-person voting will move downstairs to a larger space (the Dogwood Room to accommodate the expected surge of absentee voters. Plans for adding evening hours are not yet finalized. Registered voters can also vote absentee by mail, the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 30. The deadline for the ballot to arrive at the registrar is 5 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6.