Polls have officially closed as of 7:00 p.m. Fourth Estate will continue posting live election coverage as results get announced.
Voters Reflect as Polls Close in Fairfax
Fairfax residents share their thoughts on the campaign season and the voting process
BY RITHVIK HARI, STAFF WRITER
7:55 p.m.: As polls closed at 7 p.m., the final wave of voters made their way into Fairfax City Hall to cast their ballots before the deadline. For many, the end of the campaign season prompted reflection on their choices and what influenced their votes.
“The campaign cycle and everything that has come out about the candidates over the last few months has really made me think about who is the best fit to represent us in Richmond,” said one voter.
Party supporters outside Fairfax City Hall noted there has been a steady stream of voters throughout the entire day. One noted that although there were people constantly walking in, there was never a line inside. However, they did mention that it did not seem as busy as previous elections.
Peter Robinson, a voter, said, “My research of the candidates consisted of half of it from the news, like FOX News, CNN. The other half was from TikTok. So, it was pretty half and half and I think the person I voted for is a good candidate.”
As a first-time voter, Robinson said he had a good experience and was able to go through the whole process within a few minutes.
“There are 250 years of sacrifices to make sure we can vote in this country, so I encourage everybody to honor those sacrifices by coming out and voting on election day,” said Devin Perry, a Fairfax resident.
Staff at the Fairfax Registrar’s Office began collecting and processing ballots, marking the end of another election season in Fairfax.
(Katie Perschau / Fourth Estate)
Virginians Cast Final Votes at Daniels Run Elementary Polling Station
Human rights issues drive voters to the polls in the final hour of election day
BY KATIE PERSCHAU, CULTURE EDITOR
7:30 p.m.: As the Daniels Run Elementary School polling precinct entered the final stretch of election day, a steady current of voters cast votes before the polls close at 7 p.m.
As volunteers began collecting campaign signs and folding tables, voters just getting off of work rushed from the parking lot to the voting booths before the 7 p.m. cut-off.
According to poll workers, 955 people voted at Daniels Run as of 6 p.m. Worker Dena Ellison said crowds remained steady throughout the day.
Voters at the precinct stressed the importance of a state government that ensures the protection of civil liberties.
“One of my friends. She wants to get married with her … partner. And I think that’s what drove me [to the polls], because I know that [Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears]… she’s against gay marriage,” said voter Alejandra Garcia.
Another voter, Alex Hikmat, said, “Immigration stuff as a whole is kind of… You know, it’s a lot right now. So I just want to vote for candidates that are like, more lenient, I guess, towards immigrants.”
State Delegate David Bulova, of the Va. 11th district, who has been going from precinct to precinct throughout the day to thank and greet voters, urged student voters to use their voice to improve the standards of higher education in Virginia. He said today’s election will set the direction for Virginia’s education systems for generations.
“It’s important that we have…[Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail] Spanberger in office, because the governor is the one who makes the appointments to the George Mason University … Boards of Visitors, and those are the people who set the policy and academic standards for the institution,” said Bulova.
Only poll volunteers remained at the precinct when polls closed across the state.
(Emma G. Schaible / Fourth Estate)
Voting Slows, Passion Does Not
Fairfax voters are still making sure their voices are heard
BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR
6:20 p.m.: As the afternoon round of voters started, issues of SNAP benefits, immigration and the Ukraine war were issues voters used to determine their decisions. While voting slowed down briefly in the afternoon at the Fairfax Presbyterian Church, the Chief Elections Officer for Precinct 1, Jeff White, continued to talk to Fourth Estate.
White has been working in election administration in Fairfax for the last 10 years, and he wants more young people to be willing to get involved. He elaborates that it “shouldn’t just be people my age” working on elections.
Voting has been made accessible to adapt to people’s needs: there are numerous ways for people who might be unable to physically get to the polls to vote, including mail-in ballots, early voting and even curbside voting on the day of the election, a few of which White helped administer today.
White explained that voting is easy, and that you only have to “make sure you get registered — there are deadlines for things like this.”
Volunteers from the Abigail Spanberger campaign handed out Democratic sample ballots and informational flyers. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., no other campaign was present at the polling place.
A voter who chose not to identify themselves, but has worked in education for thirty years, explains that their biggest voting issue was the “current way they are deporting people… If someone is contributing to the community… they should have an easier way to become a citizen.”
Ryan Thomas, a member of the community for the last ten years, thinks that Abigail Spanberger ran the strongest campaign as she tackled issues like “stopping the Trump agenda,” which was his biggest voting issue.
Voters continue to arrive with their friends, children and even dogs.
(Davon Marion / Fourth Estate)
Voters Talk Jay Jones Controversy, Abortion and Voter Identification
‘I would have voted for Mickey Mouse before … Miyares’
BY ISABELLA PEARLSTEIN, STAFF WRITER
6:00 p.m.: Since 2 p.m., the steady stream of voters at Fairfax High School slowed to a trickle.
Gregory Pati, when asked about the controversy surrounding Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones and whether that had an impact on his vote, stated, “I would have voted for Mickey Mouse before I would’ve [voted] for Mr. Miyares.”
(Davon Marion / Fourth Estate)
Pati, who voted for a straight Democratic ticket, mentioned abortion as an important issue he considered at the ballot box.
“I think women have a right to make those kinds of choices. They’re family choices; they don’t belong to the state,” he said.
Voters still expressed why the election was important for them.
“This is the first chance that we have to send a message both statewide and nationwide on how we feel about the current situation,” Mike Bass said.
Bass continued expressing one of the issues that concerned him was Winsome Earle-Sears’ stance on transgender athletes and transgender girls using the women’s restroom.
“I know [Earle-Sears] feels very strongly against not having [transgender people] a welcome population in our schools, or at least for regulations to be kind of anti [transgender rights]. I’m not okay with that,” he said.
Francis Dietz, who voted for Earle-Sears, John Reid and Jason Miyares, expressed concern that if Democrats won there would be issues with identifying voters.
“As I walked in, I pulled my ID out of my wallet, and I thought exactly to myself that next time I vote, if the Democrats get in, I probably wouldn’t have to [show my ID],” he said.
One voter, Gabor Stoll, shared why he voted for all Democrats.
“I want my health insurance. I’m scared I’m gonna lose my health insurance,” he said.
A family wearing “Winsome” T-shirts arrived ready to vote and shared what issue was most pressing for them, “One issue that I most identify with the Republicans versus Democrats, [is] that we are pro life. We are very much in favor of fostering and adoption and the Democrats unfortunately, even compared to when I was kid, they don’t make room for that position in their party.”
Around 2:45 p.m., uncontested and incumbent candidate for Treasurer of the City of Fairfax, Tom Scibilia, arrived to greet voters and mingle, staying until 4 p.m.
(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)
Voters talk about candidates’ past records and education concerns
Schools are a focus for Democratic and Republican voters
BY JOSEPH TRIOLO, STAFF WRITER
3:50 p.m.: In the coverage of the autumn-colored trees, voters assembled to share their voices through the ballot box at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. Some voters chose to stop and share some of their opinions after voting on the issues they found most important and why they found this election to be important.
James Souther shared that his most important issue was a candidate who would focus on Virginia.
“I believe that the current lieutenant governor [Winsome Earle-Sears] didn’t bring anything to the table that was specific to Virginia. I think that that candidate is more interested in the wider social issues that are kind of completely in our face all the time, that didn’t say anything about Virginia, whereas Spanberger talked about Virginia, and that’s what I’m voting for,” he said.
One of these issues Souther voted for was funding for education.
“You know, we’re going to have some budgetary issues with the Department of Education … I have one child that’s still in public school, and I want them to be able to maintain the level of Fairfax County Schools [that is] really good, and I want them to maintain that level of excellence,” Souther said.
For voter Douglas Schauss, voting for a Republican ticket was most important, as he disliked Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger. He said voters “don’t need a CIA cut-out for a governor.”
He further said he found Winsome Earle-Sears’ position on schools important.
“School boards are allowing guys in girls bathrooms, guys to be on women’s sports teams and stuff like that,” Schauss said. “I believe that’s … not right, and Winsome has pledged to make that right.”
Voter Meredith Lee, a Fairfax County Public Schools middle school teacher and mother of two children in public school, said she viewed education as the most important issue.
“I’m hoping that we keep having the ability to strive for excellence while supporting students of all needs and ability. And then I’m hoping that there are some changes put in place that help that to happen,” she said.
Lee said she thinks a lot of people in the education world are hoping for a positive change this election.
Fairfax City Hall Provides Halfway Voter Turnout Numbers
Hundreds of voters have cast their ballots at City Hall
BY ALEXANDRA HENRIQUES, STAFF WRITER
3:30 p.m.: As of noon, City Hall voting officials reported that 265 people had cast their votes at the location since the polls opened at 6 a.m. This number does not include mail-in ballots dropped off during the day.
A representative from the Fairfax City Democrats said that City Hall sees less voters on Election Day than other polling locations due to their status as an early-voting location.
According to the representative, most people in the neighborhood cast their ballots before Election Day for convenience.
Voter traffic continued to be slow between noon and 2 p.m., with almost no lines and voters exiting the building within minutes of entering.
An issue that has remained in voters’ minds is the current government shutdown.
“I am really concerned and hope the Virginia state government helps take care of the federal workers who are going through a really tough time right now… Just making sure that people can, you know, afford groceries and people who are working without pay or getting furloughed can actually stay afloat,” Va. resident Meryl Flaherty said.
(Joel Aguilar / Fourth Estate)
Midday Voters Continue Heading to Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center
City of Fairfax professionals and retirees vote for next Va. governor
BY JOEL AGUILAR, STAFF WRITER
3:10 p.m.: At Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, there are a wide variety of people showing up at the polls. Both Republican and Democrat volunteers stand outside the entrance giving out sample ballots and talking to voters.
A steady flow of voters came in and out of the Community Center, all of different ages, professions, and political affiliation. This high voter turnout is mostly fueled by the gubernatorial race between Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears.This race has been increasingly competitive between the 2 candidates, both campaigning on issues that hit Fairfax residents close to home.
Spanberger is focused on reducing the cost of living and improving the Virginian economy, while Sears is focused on crime and taxes. Both of these candidates would be the first female governor in Virginian history. Additionally, other positions like the attorney general, lieutenant governor, and a seat in the Va. House of Delegates are also on the ballot.
Sam, a 26 year-old government contractor, shows up to every election he can. Unfortunately, this election was very similar to others he went to in the past,leaving him dissatisfied with all the candidates on the ballot. For Sam, this election came down to who he disliked less.
“I really don’t like [Sears’] rhetoric, I really don’t like her views, and I don’t like Spanberger but I don’t like her less than I like Winsome,” Sam said.
In recent elections, many voters have been dissatisfied with the candidates featured on the ballots, often not feeling connected to any specific policy or goals. These feelings toward candidates lead many potential voters to turn away from politics and not cast a ballot, causing decreased voter turnout.
Despite this, Sam said he believes in the importance of voting. To him, no matter what your stance is, the candidate who gets elected on the local level will directly impact people’s lives. He said the state and local legislature has the power to change the day to day life of Fairfax residents much more than people realize.
This belief pushes him to attend every election, especially local ones.
“A lot of people say ‘I don’t do politics.’ That’s fine, but politics are going to do you,” he said, explaining that candidates on the ballot directly affect the laws and politics at the local level.
A number of people have called for Va. Attorney General to sue the federal government . This comes after a number of states have sued for reform or protection from federal intervention on issues like abortion, immigration and the presence of the National Guard in cities like D.C.
Some voters have criticized Va. Governor Glenn Youngkin for his lack of involvement in lawsuits against the federal government..
Ethan Spring, a high school physics teacher, is very disgruntled with the current federal administration and the current governor, Glenn Youngkin. Ethan is specifically upset with the treatment of federal workers, like his wife, and transgender students at his school. According to FFXNow, over the past four years Fairfax County Public Schools have faced increased pressure to make it harder for transgender students to express their preferred gender identity.
Policies from Youngkin and the federal government have pushed for changes like preventing students from going to the bathroom based on their gender identity and forcing schools to have a “biological-based” definition of male and female. Spring is very passionate about ending a persecution of trans students which he believes is baseless and leading to a negative or even dangerous school environment for them.
“The general attack on trans students is something I see causing harm every day,” Spring said.
Many retired voters feel disconnected from the current election. Without working and already having enough money to thrive, many retirees aren’t affected by the current state of the economy or policy changes on the local level.
Charlie, a retired Fairfax resident, came out to support the Republican candidates, but ultimately didn’t see any impact on himself. While he is passionate about crime and the social stances of the candidates, he was ultimately apathetic to either candidate.
“I don’t know if it affects me directly, but I’m retired. I don’t have to worry about anything,” he said.
Some other retired voters are voting for the sake of younger generations. They are choosing their preferred candidate in the hopes that their policies will aid their children or grandchildren.
These policies include more affordable living expenses and increased federal aid in programs like SNAP and FAFSA.
Brian, another retired resident, said he believes that the current state of the federal government and politics as a whole is concerning and believes that this local election can help defend his democratic ideals.
“It was hard for me growing up, but I think it’s harder for my kids. I think that moving towards autocracy and oligarchy is not a good environment for my grandkids,” he said.
(Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)
Voters Head to Fairfax High School to Exercise Their Constitutional Right
Democratic values, education, rights, government benefits, and the shutdown on voters’ minds
BY ISABELLA PEARLSTEIN, STAFF WRITER
2:55 p.m.: Since 6:40 a.m., there has been a steady stream of voters walking in and out of Fairfax High School. Some dressed for work and others dressed in sweats, with some holding travel mugs getting their day started.
As the day has progressed more and more people have arrived to cast their vote in today’s election. Many voters have also arrived with their children in tow.
Several people have expressed why today’s election is important to them. One Republican voter, Steve Fisher, said he believes Virginia is on the correct path and wants to “maintain the thrust forward.”
“I think a lot of good things are happening in the state, and I’d like to see them continue,” Fisher said.
Dan Paul is another voter who believes Va. is going in the right direction.
“I think the Democratic Party has lost its view. I can’t stand for anything they stand for. And I don’t think they’re working in our best interest,” Paul said.
Another voter, Juan Carlos Morales, believes this election is important because democracy is on the line.
“[We’ve been] at siege, basically, since the Trump administration has taken over. So it’s important that we all vote Democratic if we want to free democracy in our country,” Morales said.
Many of the voters who spoke shared similar sentiments.
One voter, Jessica Dickinson, a student at Northern Virginia Community College, was concerned about government support for universities and colleges.
“I’m a little worried about the accreditation stuff that’s happening with not having the government backup colleges anymore,” Dickinson said.
Other voters expressed concerns over the rights of other people.
“For me it’s really about making sure that everybody has rights. I feel like this is one of the last places where we can be like ‘this [is] our stand.’ These are our rights, and we’re gonna keep them,” said Monica Torres.
Susan Sproul expressed her concerns: “We’ve missed the middle guy. We’ve missed the common man. You know we’re trying to take care of 1% or 0.05% of the population. I want that. But when you leave 98% of the population behind that’s not good either.”
5,128 registered voters had voted as of Monday, in-person and mail in, according to the Secretary of the City of Fairfax Electoral Board.
A few voters brought up the ongoing government shutdown as motivation to head to the ballot box.
“People are out of work. People aren’t able to get their government assistance, which means children are starving because their parents aren’t able to get food because the job they have isn’t paying them enough or they’re not working because [of the government shutdown],” said Gabriel Levy.
Kia Lor shared a personal story about why this election is important for her.
“I just got a text from Pennsylvania Human Services that my parents can no longer get SNAP, and it’s on pause. It’s a big difference for me, even though I’m in Virginia, and they’re in Pennsylvania. I think it’s all the same. It all comes down to the deep humanity that we have for each other,” she said.
(Alexandra Henriques / Fourth Estate)
Fairfax City Democrats Going Strong
As late morning brought a dip in voter turnout, Fairfax City Democrats continue campaigns
BY ALEXANDRA HENRIQUES, STAFF WRITER
1:55 p.m.: As voter turnout slowed before noon, representatives from the Fairfax City Democrats continued campaign efforts with an “illegal alien” costume.
The costume, worn by Fairfax-resident Carolyn Grubbs, is a blow-up silver alien holding a human. It features a sign on the back labeling the alien taking the human as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Fairfax City Democrat representatives say it is meant to represent ICE “kidnapping” immigrants.
Grubbs also waved the American flag and held a sign urging voters to help protect immigrants who make our country by voting blue.
Some voters, such as Maxwell Coleman and Kara Isakson, said protecting immigration and condemning ICE is one of their key concerns in today’s election.
“I feel like the last year has been a disaster … I’m hoping it will turn in the right direction,” Isakson said.
Meanwhile, the City of Fairfax Republican Committee representatives are urging voters to think about the dangers of illegal immigration to the safety of Virginia residents. The group maintained that crime is increasing in and around Fairfax due to immigration and homelessness.
Many Mason students voted at City Hall, including Shay McIntosh and Chris Lunstrum.
“[Govenor Youngkin] is really meddling in our Board of Visitors, and I would love to have a governor who doesn’t do that…I think [Spanberger] would be more open to academic freedom. I think she would leave the people who know best alone,” McIntosh said.
For Lunstrum, abortion was one of his primary concerns in today’s election.
“I have faith in my Christianity. I have the convictions that life begins at conception, and that life has certain inalienable rights,” he said.
He acknowledged that, as a man, he rarely outrightly speaks about it, but that is why he got out to vote.
“Some women who have had an abortion had trauma or turmoil after the fact, they got it because they felt like abortion was the only option, and that personally convinced me,” Lunstrum said, but he noted, “I completely understand issues of sexual harassment and those situations.”
David Bulova, who is on the ballot to continue serving Virginia’s House of Delegates, had special support outside of Fairfax City Hall in the form of his son, Grayson Bulova, who tabled with the Fairfax City Democrats.
Bulova said that growing up in a political family helped shape his political views. It also taught him about leadership, how the government runs and what you can do to be a part of the political system in the United States.
When talking about campaign season, he said it is hard due to how busy it is, but the worst time is when they are in session and his father is gone for a full week to Richmond.
“[My father] is a really nice guy, and he really cares about what he is doing. He is always there for anyone that asks. Like if you just came up to him and asked him questions, he would happily answer,” Bulova said.
(Joseph Triolo / Fourth Estate)
Forward Party Candidate for Delegate Canvasses at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Polling Station
Self-proclaimed ‘Bernie Sanders with a southern accent,’ Brandon Givens stresses electoral reform
BY JOSEPH TRIOLO, STAFF WRITER
1:34 p.m.: Running on a platform of electoral reform, Brandon Givens is seeking to represent the 11th District of Virginia in the House of Delegates as a member of the Forward Party.
In an interview at the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church polling station, Givens discussed the issues he found most important and the change he is hoping to bring.
A topic of concern for Givens was that of the extremes found within the United States and the similarities he sees between the current United States and authoritarian regimes he lived in — like China and Kazakhstan — as an international school teacher.
A solution he proposed was that of electoral reform using multi-member districts and ranked choice voting. Givens used Australia, New Zealand and Europe as examples of states that utilize such measures
“We do see less extremes in those systems. I’ll put it that way, and we do see more voices,” he said.
Givens attributed the current rise in polarisation to the current electoral system of the overall United States and Virginia, known as “first-past-the-post.”
“Our first-past-the-post system, it rewards extremes and it also rewards negative campaigning,” he said.
Givens shared his view that a multi-member district — one where multiple candidates represent a single district — would serve as a means to represent the entire constituency.
“Here it will always work out, 70% Democrat, 30% Republican, until, you know, maybe there’s some demographic shift … I do think that 30% deserve to have their voice heard.”
When discussing other issues important to his platform, Givens continued to emphasize his view on the importance of electoral reform.
“There’s all kinds of things I want, like Medicare for all, all kind of problems we need to solve, but we’re not going to solve them until we have rational people in office who want to work together, and how are we going to do that, unless we change how we elect our representatives?” he said.
When asked if Givens’ proposed electoral changes may lead to the end of a big-tent party like Forward in favor of smaller, fragmented groups, Givens said, “That could happen, and if that happens, then I think we won.”
“I think all of us would rather be a small party that affected great change than a large party that continues with gridlock.”
Givens went on to say that he believes Forward would continue to exist, but possibly as one of the fragments.
“We don’t want to be the only, you know, we really do want people to have choice when they’re voting and, you know, to have their voices heard and to have representatives who want to solve our problems,” he said.
(Emma G. Schaible / Fourth Estate)
Fairfax Presbyterian Church Welcomes Hundreds of Voters this Morning
The importance of voting is not lost on the City of Fairfax
BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR
1:05 p.m.: The brisk fall air, people walking their dogs and the quiet hum of Old Town Fairfax in the background set the ambiance for a beautiful election day. Voters brought their kids, friends and opinions to the polls.
Women’s healthcare and the economy are issues on voters’ minds as they walk, run and drive to the polls this morning.
With a consistent flow of voters since 6 a.m., the polls got busier around 11 as Fairfax voters came to cast their votes.
Dan and Christine, a married couple who have lived in Fairfax for the last five years, brought their daughter to the polls this morning.
Christine believes that both candidates ran “a normal, typical campaign,” with her biggest voting issue being affordability.
Chapman Hall, a History Ph.D. student at Mason, says his biggest voting issues were affordability and women’s healthcare, though he has only lived in Fairfax since the start of fall semester.
Betsy Coyoy has lived in Fairfax her entire life. Her voting strategy was “anything but Republican.” She encourages students to “please actually just vote.”
Finally, Eddie Sumbry, a construction project manager, has lived in Fairfax for the last five years. He voted because “our whole government [is] falling apart.”
Sumbry thinks Spanberger ran the best campaign, winning his vote because “[her] background in law enforcement helps… [she is] doing the work that needs to be done to preserve democracy.”
Sumbry’s advice to students is that voting is “your civic duty. This will be remembered as a pivotal point in history, so please just do your civic duty.”
Jeff White, the Chief Officer of Elections for Precinct 1, thinks there have been about 300 voters since 6 a.m. as of 12 p.m. as they just opened their fourth package of ballots.
White wants voters to “vote in every election.”
While volunteers from the Abigail Spanberger campaign have been handing out Democratic sample ballots, White explains that he has not seen the Republicans.
The polls are open at Fairfax Presbyterian Church six more hours.
(Joel Aguilar / Fourth Estate)
U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw Stops at Local Polling Place
The recently elected U.S. Rep. canvases in support of Spanberger
BY BRIAN A. HAYUM, SPORTS EDITOR
12:10 p.m.: As Fairfax residents groggily made their way to the polls early this morning, U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw of the 11th District of Virginia joined canvassers at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center in support of the Democratic candidate for Va. GovernorAbigail Spanberger.
“I think she’s the best person in this moment to stand up for Virginia in terms of the policies coming out of Washington and out of the White House,” Walkinshaw said in an interview with Fourth Estate.
“At the end of the day, whoever wins, I’ll work with them … I’ll work with anybody if it means making progress for the people I represent,” he said.
The newly elected congressman shares the sentiment of many Democrats who feel that a win for Spanberger will be a sign of things to come ahead of the Nov. 2026 midterm elections.
Walkinshaw also explained how the results of this election will impact Mason’s student body.
“They have a lot at stake in this election,” he said. “State officials make a lot of important decisions in terms of state funding for universities, like George Mason… the governor appoints the board of visitors, so [Mason students] have a lot at stake in this election.”
In recent months, Mason has been at the epicenter of the Trump administration’s focus on higher learning.
In a press release on Aug. 22, the Department of Education accused George Mason President Gregory Washington of violating Title VI by “illegally using race and other immutable characteristics in university practices and policies, including hiring and promotion.”
Currently, all six members of the board of visitors were appointed by the current Virginia Governor, Glenn Youngkin. An additional ten nominees by Youngkin have been rejected in the state senate.
The board is supposed to consists of 16 members, each serving four-year terms, appointed by the Governor.
(Alexandra Henriques / Fourth Estate)
Discourse at Fairfax City Hall Enthralls Morning Voters
Fairfax City Hall bustles with voters
BY ALEXANDRA HENRIQUES, STAFF WRITER
11:10 a.m.: At 9 a.m. outside of Fairfax City Hall, a representative from the City of Fairfax Republican Committee and Virginia Uliana, a Jay Jones advocate, argued over the state of the country and gun policies.
Uliana, representing “the seniors,” argued that the Second Amendment should not protect assault rifles such as AK-47s. She said the Republican Committee representative said that the Democratic Party is baseless and holds faulty morals.
Uliana came out to advocate for Jay Jones amidst the texting scandal where he shared violent messages about Republican politicians to Republican lawmaker Carrie Coyner.
Despite the contents of the messages, Uliana said she believes that Jones’ statements should be excused.
“We do not want anybody who is for the way the Republican Party is going. And I voted Republican in the past,” Uliana said.
Later, a voter chanted “No Kings” to the same representative, a popular tagline against the current Trump and Republican administration.
Other groups tabling outside City Hall are representatives from Fairfax City Democrats and the Forward Party. All groups handed out sample ballots and pamphlets about their cause.
Based on brief exit polling, the biggest issues that influenced morning voter’s choices in today’s gubernatorial elections were the future of the country’s democracy.
“I think it’s important to show that there is an organized state resistance to the federal nonsense that is going on right now,” Fairfax resident Ben Lebron said. “The issue that matters most to me is rule of law and the reestablishment of the rule of law.”
Many voters are headed to work after casting their ballots, often rushing back to their car in business attire and declining exit polls due to time constraints.
As groups of voters exited, Fairfax City Democrat representatives thanked everyone for voting.
“It’s my honor,” one voter responded.
