Plan to Vote, Learn About 3 Constitutional Amendments On the Ballot

By Kristin Stamilio, Voter Services Co-Chair for the League of Women Voters of Falls Church

Exercising your right and responsibility to vote

Early voting began on Friday, September 18, 2026, and there’s no better moment than right now to make a plan to vote and become informed about who and what is on the ballot. The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Falls Church has assembled information and organized events to help you exercise this fundamental right and responsibility.

Making sure every eligible voter is registered, informed, and empowered to vote is more important than ever. This and defending democracy constitute the core mission of the League. Please note, the League is nonpartisan and does not support candidates or political parties. We do advocate for issues we have studied and arrived at consensus and on which we have formed positions.

Steps to take

Here are eight steps you can take to prepare for this fall’s elections.

1.  Register to vote or check your registration on VOTE411 

• VOTE411 is the League of Women Voters’ nationwide, nonpartisan election information platform designed to give every voter personalized, verified details they need to participate confidently in any election. 
• Register to vote through VOTE411 by connecting to the Virginia online voter registration system, or simply enter your address and you will be able to check whether you are registered in your jurisdiction. It only takes an average of two minutes to register to vote! Registration forms in 15 languages can also be downloaded.

2. Learn about candidates running for the US Senate and House of Representatives

• Gain access to information on voting specifically tailored for you on VOTE411. 
• Responses to questions from candidates running for office will be added to this platform as they are received. VOTE411 allows voters to do a direct side-by-side comparison of candidate responses to make informed decisions. 

3. Learn about the Virginia constitutional amendments 

• There are three particularly important amendments on the ballot in Virginia this election. The League of Women Voters of Virginia has studied the issues embodied in these constitutional amendments extensively and has taken positions to vote yes on all three. You can learn more about the amendments on reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights here. Be sure to turn your ballot over to vote for all three amendments!
• LWV Falls Church will host a live event on Wednesday, October 14, from 6:00-7:30 pm to hear from a panel of experts who will share why we believe voting yes on these measures is necessary to protect our constitutional freedoms. The location will be shared the day of the event to those who register here. Space is limited, so please sign up ASAP! 
• The event will be recorded and shared on the LWV Falls Church website. 
• The Virginia League also held a virtual webinar on September 17 to inform voters about the amendments. You can watch the video here. 
• In addition, between October 17 and 20, League members will distribute informational flyers on doorsteps throughout Falls Church City to inform voters about what’s on the ballot, including details about the Virginia constitutional amendments. 

4. Watch the candidate forum

• LWV Falls Church is co-sponsoring a televised candidate forum for the Virginia 8^th District House of Representative candidates who have agreed to participate on Monday, September 28 at 8:00 pm. 
• You can watch the forum on Fairfax Public Access TV (see flyer below). 

5. Review the Voter Guide 

• The League produces a Voter Guide each election cycle to provide in-depth information on registering to vote, how and where to vote, and what’s on the ballot. See the 2026 midterm elections Voter Guide for Falls Church here. 

6. Familiarize yourself with mail-in ballots

• There has been a lot in the news lately about the US Postal Service (USPS) becoming involved with mail-in ballots beyond delivering them to voters. Here are the specific details for the City of Falls Church. Please share with friends and neighbors! 
• By law, only the USPS can deliver ballots to voters.
• The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is October 23. If you have already applied or are on the permanent list, your ballot is currently being processed and mailed to you.
• If you have already requested a ballot but have not received it by Thursday, October 1, 2026, please contact the City’s Voter Registration and Elections Office, 300 Park Avenue, Corridor Level, East Wing, Falls Church, VA 22046; Phone: 703-248-5085; or Email: vote@fallschurchva.gov.
• Voters who request their ballots by mail after early voting starts on September 18 should wait two weeks before contacting the Voter Registration and Elections Office if you have not received your ballot.
• Voters concerned about USPS delivery times are strongly encouraged to use the City’s secure Official Ballot Drop Box outside City Hall at 300 Park Avenue to return their completed mail-in ballot. Any voter who needs to mail their ballot but is concerned that it will be delivered and counted can also use commercial services such as UPS, FedEX, and DHL to send their ballot to the Voter Registration and Elections Office.
• Only voters can bring their completed ballots to the Registrar’s office. You may also surrender your mail-in ballot for a regular ballot by bringing it to your polling place if you decide you prefer to vote in person. 
• Given recent confusion about mail-in voting, early in-person voting is recommended. Check the Voter Registration and Elections Office website for dates and times.

7. Share on social media 

• Follow us on social media! LWV Falls Church is on Instagram and Facebook.
• Engage with our posts to increase visibility about the upcoming election and share them on your own pages. 

8. VOTE!! 

Please vote early or on November 3 and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same! 

For more information about the League and LWV Falls Church, please visit our website.