McLean Voter Survival Guide for Today's Elections
Election and candidate information
Please vote today. The entire Virginia General Assembly, the entire Fairfax Board of Supervisors, the entire Fairfax County school board will be decided in today's elections.
Only about a third of registered voters cast ballots in a year when there is no presidential or gubernatorial candidate at the top of the ticket so your vote is huge.
1. Polls open from 6am.-7 pm.
2. Before you leave for the polls, look at the voter registration card the Fairfax County Board of Elections sent you one last week. That card is on the back of a pamphlet you received headlined: Important Voting Materials Enclosed. That card is your lifeline for this election.
It tells you where you vote. Even if you've voted for 20 years in the same place, there is a huge chance you have a new voting place. You don't want to go to the wrong voting precinct. Here's an easy link to find your polling place.
If you can't find your card, or think there is a mistake, call the county's Elections Office at 703-222-0776 right away. They are very friendly and will help you.
3. Cameron Quinn, head of the Fairfax County elections office advises: If the polling place does NOT have your name, ask the election officers to let you locate your house on the precinct map posted in the polling place. If it isn’t on the map, you may not be in the correct polling place. Ask to talk to the Chief or Assistant Chief Election Official to straighten this out before you try to vote a ballot.
Because of redistricting, ask the election officers to let you view the sample ballot posted in the polling place. If the posted sample ballot does not list candidates you thought you would be voting for, or if the ballot you receive does not match the sample ballot, ask to talk to the Chief or Assistant Chief Election Official to straighten this out before you vote a ballot.
4. Number of eligible to vote in Fairfax County: 696,491. No breakdown by Democrats and Republicans because voters aren't registered by party in Virginia.
5. Number of precincts in Fairfax: 239 precincts.
6. Fairfax turnout for off year* elections : 2007 – 33.3 percent. 2003 – 32.8 percent. That means your vote is hugely important.
McLean Patch will have up-to-minute election results for McLean candidates throughout the evening and you can comment on the results.
McLean's Senate Candidates:
31st District
Caren D. Merrick - R
caren@carenmerrick.com
Barbara A. Favola - D
favolaforsenate@gmail.com
32nd District
Patrick N. Forrest - R
patrick@forrest2011.com
Janet D. Howell - D
senhowell@gmail.com
McLean House Candidates: 34th District
Barbara J. Comstock - R
info@comstockfordelegate.com
Pamela B. Danner - D
pbdanner@ideamatics.net
35th District
Mark L. Keam - D
mark.keam@gmail.com
Keam is running unopposed.
48th District
Robert H. Brink - D
delbrink@comcast.net
Janet Murphy - IG
janet.murphy@LNF.com
Kathy D. Gillette-Mallard - I
kathymallard48vahd@hotmail.com
Dranesville Supervisor
Dennis D. Husch - R
dh4ds@dhusch.com
John W. Foust - D
supervisorfoust@gmail.com
SCHOOL BOARD
Seven candidates are running for at-large seats on the Fairfax County school board. In addition, voters will choose school board representatives for the Dranesville district. School board candidate do not run as Democrats and Republicans.
At-Large Candidates
Sheree A. Brown-Kaplan (profile, positions)
Lin-Dai Y. Kendall (profile)
Lolita I. Mancheno-Smoak (profile, positions)
Ryan L. McElveen (profile, positions)
Ilryong Moon (profile, positions)
Steven M. F. Stuban (profile, positions)
Theodore J. "Ted" Velkoff (profile, positions)
Dranesville School Board Member
Louise K. Epstein
lepstein@cox.net
Jane K. "Janie" Strauss
jkstrauss@cox.net
Other Important Links
- Frequently Asked Questions on Voter Information Cards
- Sample Ballots
- How to Use Voting Machines (videos available in multiple languages)
- Maps of Districts and Precincts
- Services for People with Disabilities
- Office of Elections 703-222-0776, TTY 711.
*Off year -- When there is no Virginia statewide office (like governor) nor U.S. presidential election to rouse occasional voters to the polls.
Katherine Haskell
9:53 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOND!!!
This year's bond is critically important to the Cluster 1 Pyramid. $5.65 million is included for Langley HS (planning); $1.65 million is included for Forestville ES (planning); $.97 million is included for Haycock ES (planning); and $84.65 million is included for TJ (construction). In addition, the Bond includes $26 million for infrastructure management projects, technology upgrades, American w/ Disabilities Act upgrades, roof replacements, athletic infrastructure and security enhancements which will affect several other schools in the McLean/Langley pyramids.
Construction costs are at an all-time low, meaning significant savings for school construction projects, and Fairfax County will reap the low interest rate benefits of its AAA Bond rating. Please support Dranesville District and help ensure that our world class school system continues!
Katherine Haskell
Dranesville District Representative
Fairfax Citizens for Better Schools
Laura
10:20 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
Yes - vote for the bond! Langley is in dire need of a renovation!
Scott Chronister
6:16 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
As most people with children in Fairfax County Public Schools know, education and not politics is the most important thing to ensuring our children are prepared for their futures. This year, a number of advocacy groups are playing an important role in educating voters about the importance of the school board election and the candidates. The Fairfax County Coalition of Advocates for Public Schools (FairfaxCAPS) focuses on educational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and accountability in FCPS. FairfaxCAPS is endorsing the following candidates:
At-Large: Steve Stuban
At-Large: Lolita Mancheno-Smoak
At-Large: Sheree Brown-Kaplan
Braddock: Megan McLaughlin
Dranesville: Louise Epstein
Hunter Mill: Nancy Linton
Mason: Sandy Evans
Mt. Vernon: Michele Nellenbach
Providence: Patty Reed
Springfield: Elizabeth Schultz
Sully: Sheila Ratnam
Please support the FairfaxCAPS slate on November 8. Help ensure that the new School Board will be responsive to constituents and community concerns as together we work to ensure that Fairfax County Public Schools is a benchmark public school system where all students excel.
For more information about school board candidates and the on the 2011 Fairfax County School Board election, visit www.FairfaxCAPS.org.
Mozart
7:58 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
FairfaxCAPS endorsements are largely the mirror image of the Washington Post endorsements with respect to the contested races, with two exceptions.
People should use their own judgment and not rely on advocacy groups that typically have their own agendas.
Kathy Keith
8:13 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Like WAPO doesn't have an agenda. The "editorial board" that made the choice was one woman who called and spoke with each candidate. Obviously, she doesn't read her own newspaper or she would have been aware of the egregious decisions by incumbents on Zero Tolerance, Gatehouse 2, and the extension of Jack Dale's contract.
Mozart
9:43 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Kathy - That was really my point: to urge folks to do their own research and reach their own conclusions, rather than simply rely on "slates" proposed by the Post, Fairfax CAPS or, for that matter, Red Apple Mom.
In the case of Fairfax CAPS, I find it occasionally compiles and presents useful data on FCPS. However, when it comes to endorsements, there was basically no way that this organization would endorse any School Board incumbent who voted in favor of the South Lakes redistricting in 2008, regardless of that member's other positions or accomplishments. If you live in Floris, and are still angry that you got redistricted from Westfield to South Lakes, maybe the Fairfax CAPS slate does reflect your top priorities. If you live in Great Falls, McLean or Vienna, you might see things differently.
I found Red Apple Mom's latest put-down of Ryan McElveen, who is in his mid-20s, as too young and inexperienced to serve on the School Board to be particularly galling. He has probably been the most energetic candidate for an at-large seat, and Lorenze's equation of McElveen with the non-voting "student representatives" on the School Board (who are typically 16 or 17) to be quite insulting to younger voters. Speaking personally, McElveen and Stuban are probably the two at-large candidates who have impressed me the most.
Reply
Concerned Parent
10:05 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
I have been far less impressed by Mr. McElveen. While he speaks well, his messages have been very conflicted. His robo calls recently have referenced "out-of-control spending" in our schools and described FCPS as walking down a "path of fiscal insolvency." This doesn't seem to fit with his position on school funding, as stated in response to a question posed by Patch:
Is FCPS underfunded, overfunded, or properly funded at the current level? Explain.
"FCPS is properly funded, but as our student population increases, school funding should increase proportionately. We cannot expect to provide the same quality education when our schools are bursting at the seams, our students are forced to eat lunch on hallway floors and our teachers face stagnant salaries. This is why voters should vote to approve the school bond and elect leaders who will fight during the budget process to ensure our schools receive necessary funding and avoid candidates who pledge not to raise taxes. The simple fact is the School Board doesn’t set tax rates."
Sounds like just another politician to me...saying anything to get elected.
Michele Menapace
9:57 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The mission of Fairfax Zero Tolerance Reform is to transform the punitive Fairfax County Public School discipline system into one that is restorative, educational, therapeutic and fair, by working with affected families, FCPS, county staff, civil rights advocates, child development specialists, and legal representatives.
The following candidates have been endorsed by FairfaxZeroToleranceReform.org.
They have demonstrated a commitment to creating a reformed, restorative, and respectful discipline process in Fairfax. All the candidates have stated their desire for transparency, accountability, and respect for community engagement by groups such as ours. FZTR expects the future school board to provide significantly more robust oversight of FCPS staff. FZTR is a non-partisan organization and these candidates span the political spectrum. All these candidates (but Linton) are also formally endorsed by leading teachers associations. We want qualified, honorable candidates regardless of any party endorsements.
At Large: Steve Stuban, Sheree Brown-Kaplan, Lolita Mancheno-Smoak
Braddock: Megan McLaughlin
Dranesville: Louise Epstein
Hunter Mill: Pat Hynes & Nancy Linton
Mason: Sandy Evans
Mt. Vernon: Dan Storck
Providence: Patty Reed
Springfield: Elizabeth Schultz
Sully: Sheila Ratnam
No endorsement in Lee.
McLean Parent
10:03 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Since Stuban is running against the tide, by not having a partisan endorsement, please note that you don't have to vote for three candidates in the at-large race. You can just vote for Stuban and maximize the chances he will win by not also spreading votes to other candidates who could edge him in the final vote count. Remember, only about 1,000 votes separated the 3rd and 4th place at-large candidates four years ago. It would be nice to have someone on this nonpartisan board who did not have a partisan endorsement.
Mulligan
10:13 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Kathy: What specifically was the WaPo's agenda in the Strauss/Epstein race? I know for a fact they spoke to more than just the candidates for at least that race and the only agenda I see could be that they lean left and Epstein was endorsed on the R side. However, I think it was a more sophisticated and informed decision than party affiliation. I am pretty certain if the endorsement had gone the other way that it would have been touted by the Epstein campaign as a positive rather than discredited.
A pattern has emerged throughout this election when things are not favorable to Epstein they are attacked, discredited, distorted, and even flip-flopped to make Struass look like she is engineering the negativity that has become so pervasive in this race.
It has been a sad commentary on our community and I will be happy to see it end. If Epstein wins, I hope she re-finds her own voice and repudiates the tactics Lorenze employed to get her elected. If Janie wins, I hope this election will be a loud wake up call for her.
Good luck to both candidates today.
Lifelong Dranesville Citizen
11:09 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Friends and Neighbors of the Dranesville District of Fairfax County:
Please consider a vote for Louise Epstein for School Board in the election.
The Fairfax Education Association has endorsed Ms. Epstein and believes a vote for her is a vote for positive change in our public schools.
Will Radle
11:11 am on Tuesday, November 8, 2011
I am proud and thankful Democratic and Republican senators and delegates helped put me on the ballot for Fairfax County Chairman. I am honored Independent Greens trust me to address their concerns for more trains, less traffic and smarter energy.
If you have not already checked out my latest Patch blog post, please let me share the message people told me throughout Fairfax County and why I am working to help Create a Culture of Listening: http://fairfaxstation.patch.com/blog_posts/creating-a-culture-of-listening
Thank you for making an informed decision on November 8.
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Independent Candidate for Chairman,
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1