Politics & Government

Redistricting's Impact on August 23 Primary

FFX County General Registrar predicts just under 10 percent or 70,000 voter turnout on August 23. Normal primary turnout is between 10-15 percent

Worried about voting in the upcoming primary on August 23 due to redistricting? Don't be; the Fairfax County Office of Elections is standing by to walk you through it, said Edgardo Cortes, general registrar, Fairfax County Office of Elections.

The State Board of Elections has mailed out 230,000 voter cards to voters who live in areas of Fairfax County impacted by redistricting and where primaries are taking place on August 23, said Cortes.

People who live in areas impacted but not holding primaries will receive new cards before the general election in November.

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"It can get pretty confusing for voters," Cortes said. "Obviously the primary date is different, it’s a lot later than it usually is, due to redistricting." Cortes said he predicts a turnout in Fairfax County of just under 10 percent or about 70,000 voters on August 23.

Some voters will show up to a "split precinct" and will be given the correct ballot based on their address. "A split precinct is one precinct that is covered by more than one legislative district," Cortes said. "We have a couple of precincts split between the 37th and 39th Senate districts."

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Since Virginia does not register voters by party, primaries are open, meaning you can select which primary (Democrat or Republican) you vote in, but you're only able to vote in one if your precinct has both a Democrat and Republican primary, Cortes noted. So if you're voting in a Democrat primary for a state legislator for instance, you can't cross over and vote in the countywide GOP primary for sheriff; you'll have to wait to vote in the general election.

Republican Primaries in Fairfax County

State Senate, 36th District Jeffrey Frederick, Tito Munoz State Senate, 37th District Steve Hunt, Jason Flanary State Senate, 39th District Miller Baker, Scott Martin Sheriff, Countywide

Wes Kammerer, Bill Cooper III

 

Democrat Primaries in Fairfax County

House of Delegates 49th District Alfonso Lopez, Stephanie Clifford State Senate 30th District Adam Ebbin, K. Rob Krupicka, Libby Garvey State Senate 31st District Jaime Areizaga-Soto, Barbara Favola Board of Supervisors Braddock District Christopher Wade, Janet Oleszek

To check to see if you're in a new district, go to: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb

The Fairfax County Office of Elections recommends:

  • Checking your mail to see if the State Board of Elections mailed you an updated voter card; they were supposed to start going out in early August if you live in an area where lines were redrawn and if there is a primary.
  • Note your precinct name, polling place and your state and county election districts.
  • If you did not receive anything in the mail, check your information online at the State Board of Elections site.

Once you're on the State Board of Elections site, you'll be asked for your name, last four digits of your Social Security number and birthdate. The site will tell you if you are registered. You should verify your address, districts and polling place.

The site can also show you a sample ballot for the primary. The ballot will only include candidates running in the primary, not in the general election.

If you have other questions, you can contact the Fairfax County Office of Elections at (703) 222-0776 or in person, go to: 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Va. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is open late on Thursdays until 7 p.m., and on Saturday, August 20th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


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