Information for Candidates for Local Elected Office in Alexandria
The City of Alexandria is providing information for candidates interested in running for local elected offices.
On November 5, Alexandria voters will elect a Mayor, all six members of City Council; and all members of the Alexandria School Board. The ballot will also include President and Vice President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. 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 April 4.
The Virginia Department of Elections website includes candidate bulletins and required filing forms. Candidates may also pick up a packet of forms at the Alexandria Voter Registration Office. A summary of filing information follows.
Political Party Candidates for Mayor and City Council
Candidates in primary elections must file the appropriate paperwork:
- 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) by 5 p.m. on April 4.
- 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 18, and 5 p.m. on April 4.
- Certificate of Candidate Qualification and Statement of Economic Interests, which must be filed with the Alexandria Voter Registration Office by 5 p.m. on April 4.
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 by 7 p.m. on June 18. 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 18. 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 primary filing fee
- The filing of a candidate statement of qualification
- 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:
- Angie Maniglia Turner, General Registrar, voters@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4050
- Alexandria Democratic Committee, office@alexdems.org or 703.549.3367
- Alexandria Republican City Committee, info@alexgop.org or 571.281.7042
Or visit the following sites:
- Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections
- Virginia Department of Elections for local candidate bulletins and required filing forms.