As others have said, the election Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, may be the most important in our lifetime. But there is no reason to wait until Tuesday.

More than 50,000 Fairfax County residents have already voted, and you can join them between now and Saturday, Nov. 3, if you qualify for one of 20 reasons.

Absentee voting continues to be very busy.

Last Saturday, Oct. 27, alone, 3,746 in-person voters voted at one of 10 absentee in-person voting locations.

If you can’t vote early, make a specific plan about what time you will vote, who you will go with or meet at the polls. Don’t let the end of the day sneak up on you.

Polls are open on Election Day, Nov. 6, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you have the right to vote, no matter how long it takes.

Vote early, in-person absentee, by appearing in person by 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3

If you qualify for any of about 20 reasons to vote absentee, there is no reason to wait until Election Day Nov. 6 to vote.

One of the 20 reasons is if you might be working and commuting to and from home for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day, which could be most of us on a bad traffic day. Check the Virginia Department of Elections list to see if you are eligible: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting/index.html

Early Voting Locations, Dates and Hours

Through Saturday, Nov. 3 at the government center and satellite locations.

Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Conference Room 2/3, Fairfax, VA, 22035

Through-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Satellite Locations Are Open Until Saturday, Nov. 3

Weekdays: Thru Friday, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Franconia Governmental Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310

• Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079

• Mason Governmental Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003

• McLean Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101

• Mount Vernon Governmental Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306

• North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190

• Providence Community Center, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031

• Sully Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA 20151

• West Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152

Virginia Voter Id Required

You must show identification to vote. Acceptable forms of valid identification: Virginia driver’s license, Virginia DMV-issued photo ID, United States passport, Employer-issued photo ID, Student photo ID issued by a school, college, or university located in Virginia, Other U.S. or Virginia government-issued photo ID, Tribal enrollment or other tribal photo ID, or Virginia Voter Photo ID card

Need a photo ID? If you don’t have an ID, go to your voter registration office to get a free Voter Photo ID, even on Election Day. You will be required to complete an photo ID application, have your photo taken and to sign a digital signature pad.

Forgot your ID on Election Day? If you get to your polling place without acceptable photo ID, you can vote a provisional ballot. Ask for it and instructions on what to do so your vote can count. A voter will have until noon on the Friday following the election to deliver a copy of the identification to the local electoral board or to appear in person to apply for a Virginia Voter Photo ID Card.

For more information on voting in Fairfax County:

Fairfax County Office of Elections

12000 Government Center Parkway Suite 323

Fairfax, VA, 22035

Voter Registration: 703-222-0776, TTY 711

Absentee Fax: 703-324-3725

Email: voting@fairfaxcounty.gov

Election Officer Info: 703-324-4735, TTY 711

For 24-hour recorded information call 703-324-4700

On Constitutional Birthright to Citizenship

For all its snarkiness and grandstanding, this still may be of interest to our readers:

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11), vice ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent the following message, along with a copy of the U.S. Constitution, to President Trump in response to his unconstitutional proposal to end birthright citizenship.

“Mr. President, your new Executive Order ending citizenship for children born in the U.S. is patently unconstitutional. I am sending you a copy of the Constitution. Knowing your aversion to reading, I have highlighted the 14th amendment for your convenience. We abide by this sacred text in America.”

— Mary Kimm, mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com