Every year is an election year in Virginia.

Here are a few examples that demonstrate that while elections are ubiquitous in Virginia, they are neither simple nor unimportant. Wade in, a lot depends on figuring this out and voting. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of candidates.

The choices begin April 23.

Almost every state and local elected office in Virginia will be in play. Democrats will choose their candidates in the primary on June 9. Republicans will choose candidates for individual offices at caucuses, firehouse primaries and conventions, beginning April 23 and finishing by June 9.

For example, the Republican candidate for Sully District supervisor will be chosen in a firehouse primary on Saturday, April 25 at Westfield High School, with three candidates seeking the nomination to replace retiring Michael Frey. The three candidates are Brian Schoeneman, John Guevara and John Litzenberger, and the winner will likely face Democrat Cathy Smith on Nov. 3. Smith is vacating her Sully District School Board seat to run for Sully District supervisor.

This year’s elections begin May 5 with elections in the Town of Vienna with three candidates vying for three positions on the Vienna Town Council. For more, see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming.htm.

There are similar chains of musical chairs happening in the Mount Vernon district, with District Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D) retiring, and Democrats Jack Dobbyn, Dan Storck, Candace Bennett and Tim Sargeant seeking the Democratic nomination to replace him. Democrats will choose their candidate in a primary June 9 at usual polling places; Republicans have scheduled a canvass on May 16 at Sherwood Regional Library.

IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, all 10 members of the Board of Supervisors are on the ballot including district members and the chairman. Also on the ballot: all members of the School Board including district members and three at-large members; Constitutional Officers Sheriff, Clerk of Court and Commonwealth’s Attorney; and three members of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Board Directors.

Every seat in the Virginia General Assembly will be on the ballot, including all State Senate and House of Delegates seats. With several key retirements, including Del. Rob Krupicka (D), Del. Tom Rust (R) and Sen. Toddy Puller (D), it’s clear that there will be some change. Del. Scott Surovell (D) will give up his seat to run for Puller’s Senate seat, so the musical chairs continue.

IN ARLINGTON, the General Election on Nov. 3. will include Virginia Senate (30th, 31st, and 32nd Districts), Virginia House of Delegates (45th, 47th, 48th, and 49th Districts), County Constitutional Offices (Clerk of Court, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, and Treasurer), County Board (two seats), and School Board. In Arlington, staggered terms on the County Board and School Board mean that there are two seats on the County Board and one on School Board up for election.

The Democratic party will select its nominees for County Board and House of Delegates, 45th District, on Tuesday, June 9. Republicans will select their nominees for all offices at party meetings or caucuses, to be held at dates to be announced. The Republican party has until June 9 to select nominees. Source: http://vote.arlingtonva.us/elections/

IN ALEXANDRIA, aside from the five Democratic candidates seeking the nomination to replace Krupicka, only one Democratic candidate qualified for the primary ballot for Virginia State Senate (30th and 35th Districts) and House of Delegates (46th District) and only six Democratic candidates qualified for the primary ballot for City Council, so no primaries for those offices will be held. In addition, only one Republican candidate qualified for Virginia State Senate (39th District) so no primary for that office will be held. Source: http://www.alexandriava.gov/Elections

The Republican Party will be nominating its candidates for Mayor, City Council, Virginia House of Delegates (45th and 46th District) and State Senate (30th and 35th District) through a party canvass. Check with the Alexandria Republican City Committee for more information, www.alexgop.org.

The Democratic Party will be nominating its candidate for Virginia State Senate (39th District) by a method other than a primary. Check with the Alexandria Democratic Committee for more information, www.alexdems.org.

Don’t miss any of this. Check that you are registered to vote at your current address by visiting http://elections.virginia.gov/