Overview
- Russell Brooks, Garrett McGuire, Carla Bustillos and Joy McManus were certified for the ballot, listed in that order.
- Voting runs Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at three sites in Alexandria and Springfield, with online ballots requiring preregistration by 5 p.m. Saturday.
- Participants must sign a Democratic pledge and present state-issued ID, and both provisional and curbside voting will be available.
- House Speaker Don Scott issued the formal call on Dec. 24, setting the special election in Fairfax County for Jan. 20, 2026.
- The reliably Democratic seat was represented by Sickles since 2004, he won 77% in 2025, no Republican had publicly entered as of the latest reports, and separate specials in Districts 11 and 23 are scheduled for Jan. 13.