Newsletter - September 23, 2016 | Mark Levine for Delegate

Note: I realize most of this email is virtually identical to what I sent yesterday. So if you have already read yesterday's, please note only two changes:

You can watch me on FOX News at 12 Noon on Saturday, instead of 1 pm. I requested the change of time to accommodate our Monthly Meetup at Los Tios TOMORROW (Saturday) at 1:30 pm. (Note new location.)
At the request of constituents, I'm including at the top information on how to vote without a photo ID and the Constitutional Amendments on the ballot this November.

Absentee Voting Begins Today!

It's easy to do. There a lot of legal "excuses" to vote absentee. See details below. And if you know someone who is not registered to vote, voter registration continues until Monday, October 17.

You can legally register to vote, vote absentee, or vote on Election Day WITHOUT a picture voter ID. There's been some confusion on this. But Alexandria Registrar Anna Leider confirmed this to me today. (Thanks Anna!)

If you have an acceptable photo voter ID, please use it to avoid the hassle. But if you don't have an acceptable picture voter ID and wish to vote absentee, they will issue a temporary ID right on the spot at the Registrar's office and allow you to vote then and there. See absentee voting locations below.

If you don't have an acceptable picture voter ID on Election Day, do not go home without casting your ballot! You have two choices:

Vote provisionally. And fax or email a scanned copy of your voter ID to the Registrar (or visit the Registrar without a voter ID) on or before noon on the Monday after Election Day (Monday November 14). Your provisional ballot will be counted in full.
Go to the Registrar's office on Election Day. See below for the addresses. On Election Day, all the Registrar's offices will be open until the polls close at 7 pm. You can vote a regular ballot there on Election Day.

Constitutional Amendments: VOTE NO ON 1!

Lots of people know they are voting for Hillary Rodham Clinton for President of the United States and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine for Vice President. And, of course, Don Beyer for Member of Congress if you live in my District or anywhere else in the Eighth Congressional District. I heartily endorse the Clinton/Kaine ticket and Congressman Don Beyer.

I have worked personally with Hillary (ask me about this) and know her to be brilliant, detailed, passionate, trustworthy, and truly caring...someone who does the right thing even when it hurts politically. And what can I say about Don who has become my good friend and excellent Bridge partner? Everyone in the Eighth knows of his competence, his compassion, his intelligence, and his good spirit. Don works very hard for us every day.

But did you know there will also be two Constitutional Amendments on the ballot in Virginia? The first and most important is the anti-union measure Constitutional Amendment 1 which would force unions to work for nothing. By forcing all of the benefits unions bargain for to also go to non-union members, and thus depriving unions of the dues they need to survive, Amendment 1 is a plan by Republicans to devastate Virginia unions and place the abolition of worker rights permanently in the Virginia Constitution. Even if an employer welcomes union participation, this constitutional amendment leaves this employer and its workers without recourse.

By destroying unions in Virginia, the Republicans hope to permanently keep Virginia wages low. The Republicans call this Amendment "right to work," but I don't consider working for nothing to be a "right". I consider it a serious problem. We will have an uphill battle on this one, so please tell your friends and neighbors to:

PLEASE VOTE NO ON 1!

The second Constitutional Amendment is far less controversial. It allows localities to provide property tax relief for surviving spouses of police, firefighters, and EMS workers killed in the line of duty. This seems reasonable to me. Please vote yes on Amendment 2. It should easily pass.

The rest of this email is identical to what I sent yesterday. But in case you missed that one, I certainly want to re-invite you to join me tomorrow:

TOMORROW, Saturday at 1:30 pm - Mark's Monthly Meetup at our new location! Los Tios

As our Monthly Meetup crowd has grown larger each month, we needed to find a new place that offered a bit more privacy and a bit less noise. For that reason, I'm happy to invite you to please join me Saturday September 24th at Los Tios in Del Ray, our new location, 2615 Mount Vernon Ave in Alexandria at 1:30 pm.

Our Meetup occurs the last Saturday of every month and will also be held on Saturday, October 29. Due to the holidays, we may change the dates for November and December; so watch this space for details.

No donation required. Just a place to sit and talk and, for most of us, eat. I love to know what's on the mind of my constituents and supporters.

Last Chance to Register to Vote

If you know someone who is not registered to vote, please send them here: Virginia Voter Registration.

They can register online! It's easy to do. But tell them to hurry and do it today. The deadline is Monday, October 17.

In-person voter registration is also available at your Registrar's office here:

Alexandria Registrar
132 N Royal St, Suite 100
Weekdays 8 am - 5 pm

Arlington Registrar
2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 320
Weekdays 8 am - 5 pm

Fairfax Registrar
12000 Government Center Parkway
Weekdays 8 am - 4:30 pm,
except Thursday (8 am - 7 pm)

Want to help register more voters in Virginia?

In Alexandria, email Fleming Beaver at [email protected].

In Arlington, email Josh Katcher at [email protected].

In Alexandria/Fairfax County (Mount Vernon), email Danny Negrete at [email protected].

Absentee Voting

You can also apply online for an absentee ballot here. If you qualify for one of their listed excuses (listed here), you should beat the lines and get your vote in early. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday November 1st, but please make sure to apply as soon as possible to avoid any problems with the mail. You can also vote absentee by going to your Registrar in-person up to 3 days before Election Day and cast your vote right then and there.

The City of Alexandria offers in-person absentee voting at 132 North Royal Street, Suite 100, starting on Friday, September 23rd.

Arlington County offers in-person absentee voting at Courthouse Plaza (2100 Clarendon Blvd) starting on Friday, September 23rd; and at Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th St S), starting on Saturday, October 15th.

Fairfax County offers in-person absentee voting at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax), starting on Friday, September 23rd; and at the Franconia Government Center (6121 Franconia Rd., Alexandria) and the Mt. Vernon Government Center (2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria), starting on Monday October 17th.

Preserving Alexandria's History

Just this week, upon my recommendation and several others, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation awarded a $900,000 grant to the City of Alexandria to preserve the Murray-Dick-Fawcett House. This unique 18th century house has been largely unaltered since the Revolutionary War era and is the oldest preserved house in Alexandria. It was once owned by George Washington's physician and will serve as a great example of 18th century life in Alexandria. We all owe thanks to Bill Dickinson and the many other dedicated people who worked so hard to make this happen.

Fundraiser with Ralph Northam and Don Beyer

I had a fantastic reception last week with Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (running to be the next Governor of Virginia), Rep. Don Beyer, and more than 70 guests. We even celebrated Ralph's birthday. Pictures are included below, and for videos of the speeches and a description of what happened, please check out Blue Virginia's coverage here. Thanks to everyone who came out, to Alexandria Bar Association President David Lord for hosting such a wonderful event, and, especially, to Ralph and Don for strongly supporting me.

And More...

Proud to honor the birthday of one of my visionary heroes: former Delegate and Torpedo Factory Art Center founder Marian Van Landingham

Grill duty at the ADC Labor Day Picnic

Don't forget my Monthly Meet-Up at Los Tios in Del Ray
(Saturday afternoons, September 24th and October 29) at 1:30 pm!

Governor McAuliffe visits TC Williams

Senator Mark Warner's Pig Roast in King George, VA

State Senator Adam Ebbin and I revving up precinct workers at the lovely home of Laurel and Mike Moran

My brilliant, hard-working intern Barrett Fife and I at Hillary's Virginia HQ

Rep. Don Beyer's Kickoff
This November, vote to re-elect our wonderful Congressman!

Supporting Hillary at the Alexandria Democratic Committee booth at Alexandria's King Street Art Fair

And, a present for those who scrolled through everything...

Got a fleeting glimpse of Barack Obama following a play in Washington. Had no idea our President was there watching along with us.

It is my honor and privilege to serve you.

Delegate Mark Levine

Serving Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax
in Virginia's 45th District