Primary elections are being held this week in Fairfax County. Voters will have a chance to elect the candidate who will represent their political party in the special election to fill Gerry Connolly’s Congressional seat.
Connolly died on May 21 shortly after announcing he would be stepping back from his Congressional duties. He had represented Virginia’s 11th District in Congress since 2009. Glenn Youngkin issued a writ of election on June 3 that officially scheduled a special election on September 9 to fill the now-vacant seat.
In special election cases like this, political parties are responsible for putting on their own primary elections. This week, both Democrats and Republicans will vote to determine their candidates for the September 9 ballot.
Voting for Democrats
Fairfax Democrats can vote in a Democratic nominating caucus, also called a “firehouse primary,” on June 28 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (A firehouse primary is put on by the political party rather than the state.)
Voters can meet the 10 candidates running for the seat at a public forum on June 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Those interested in attending can register online and the address will be sent to registered attendees ahead of time.
Early voting will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax) on June 24, 25, and 26 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Voting for the Saturday election will be at 17 polling places across the county. Registered voters in District 11 can vote at any of these locations:
Libraries
- City of Fairfax Regional Library: 10360 North St., Fairfax
- Dolley Madison Library: 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean
- Herndon Fortnightly Library: 768 Center St., Herndon
- Oakton Library: 10304 Lynnhaven Pl., Oakton
Government Centers
- Fairfax County Government Center: 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax
- Sully District Governmental Center: 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly
- North County Governmental Center: 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Reston
- Jim Scott Community Center: 3001 Vaden Dr., Fairfax
- West Springfield Governmental Center: 6140 Rolling Rd., Springfield
Schools
- Kilmer Middle School: 8100 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna
- Chantilly High School: 4201 Stringfellow Rd., Greenbriar
- Lake Braddock SS: 9200 Burke Lake Rd., Burke
- Centreville HS: 6001 Union Mill Rd., Clifton
- John R. Lewis High School: 6540 Franconia Rd., Springfield
- Frost Middle School: 4101 Pickett Rd., Fairfax
- Langston Hughes Middle School: 11401 Ridge Heights Rd., Reston
- South County Middle School: 8700 Laurel Crest Dr., Lorton
Voting for Republicans
Fairfax Republicans will elect a candidate with a canvass on June 28. There are seven Republican candidates running.
A candidate forum will be held on June 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center auditorium (12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax). Registration is required.
Then, early voting in the canvass will be on June 27 from 2 to 7 p.m., also in the Fairfax County Government Center. The final vote is on June 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fairfax High School (3501 Lion Run, Fairfax). Pre-registration is “strongly suggested” for both days of voting.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
