The Office of the General Registrar is located in Sisson House. The City of Fairfax Electoral Board meets periodically throughout the year to ensure that the General Registrar's Office is functioning as prescribed by law, and to prepare for elections. The Electoral Board is a true bi-partisan body. By law the Chairman and Secretary must be members of opposing political parties. Yet above all, the Board works for the impartiality and integrity of the electoral process.
Elections require intensive planning and preparation.
With the assistance of the General Registrar, the Electoral Board must identify suitable polling places, acquire and test voting and other equipment, recruit and train Officers of Election, and obtain technical support and financial resources. The G.R. also maintains candidates' filing and financial records, tracks all petitions, and serves as Notary Public, budget officer, and in many other capacities. These Officers must be registered voters of the City of Fairfax who are not elected officials or deputies of such officials, and who subscribe to an Oath of Office pledging to serve impartially. Without the support of the Police Department, the Department of Public Works, Community Relations, Information Technology, and the Mail Room, elections could not take place. Each City Staff unit plays a valuable, and in some cases critical, role in supporting election operations.