Absentee voting for the Aug. 23 primary is now under way at the Arlington County Office of Voter Registration on the third floor of the county office complex at 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

So far, the office mailed out 265 ballots, mostly overseas, and about 30 people have voted in person. Two voting machines are set up.

Absentee voting requires a person give a reason for voting early – which can be as general as “business” or “pregnancy” – and can be done at the county office through 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20.

That is the only Saturday between now and the election that the office will be open. It will be open regular hours Mondays through Fridays.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 23 to count. They can be hand-delivered through 7 p.m. that day.

The last day to register to vote for the primary election is Aug. 1. The last day to request an absentee ballot through the mail is Aug. 16.

There are four contested Democratic primary contests in Arlington County this year:

• Adam Ebbin, Rob Krupicka and Libby Garvey are competing for state Senate District 30;
• Jaime Areizaga-Soto and Barbara Favola are battling for the 31st Senate District;
• Alfonso Lopez and Stephanie Clifford are running for state House District 49;
• and Theo Stamos and David Deane are competing for the commonwealth’s attorney job for Arlington and Falls Church.