Undeterred by long lines, more than 5,000 Fairfax County Democrats cast ballots during the party’s early voting period for the 11th Congressional District primary.
With turnout steadily increasing over the three days from Tuesday through Thursday (June 23-26), a total of 5,085 votes were cast — including a high of 1,793 yesterday, the final day before tomorrow’s scheduled primary election.
“It is clear from the already impressive turnout that Democrats are fired up for change in Washington,” Fairfax County Democratic Committee chair Aaron Yohai told FFXnow.
On Thursday, the line of voters waiting to cast a ballot snaked through a majority of the length of the Fairfax County Government Center, which served as the polling place.
Voters queued inside and away from the 90-degree temperatures that persisted throughout the week, experiencing longer-than-expected waits to select their preferred Democratic candidate to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly.
“Lines for early voting were at times long but moved quickly,” Yohai said. “We are excited to see the energy tomorrow’s voters will bring to our 17 locations.”
Candidates appearing on ballots are:
- Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett
- Chantilly resident Ross Branstetter IV
- Health entrepreneur Dan Lee
- Former Venezuelan congressman Leo Martinez
- Former CIA staffer Amy Papanu
- State Sen. Stella Pekarsky
- Child psychiatrist Priya Punnoose
- Attorney Amy Roma
- State Del. Irene Shin
- Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw
For Saturday’s firehouse primary, local party officials have secured 17 different locations across Fairfax County where voters can cast their ballots.
Unlike traditional elections, voters aren’t bound to a specific polling place based on their home address and can instead cast their ballots at any of the locations between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Local Republicans, who are seeking to take Virginia’s 11th Congressional District seat for the first time in nearly two decades, are holding one day of early voting for their candidates today (Friday), from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center.
For tomorrow’s canvass, Republicans will cast ballots at one location: Fairfax High School (3501 Lion Run), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available on the 11th District Republican Committee website.
The seven candidates appearing on Republican ballots are:
- Banking executive Nathan Headrick
- Former 8th Congressional District nominee Karina Lipsman
- Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance President Arthur Purves
- U.S. Army veteran Lucas Rand
- Former FBI worker and 2024 11th District nominee
- Mike Van Meter
- Former FBI staffer Stewart Whitson
- U.S. Army veteran Sam Wong
After each party determines its respective nominee, the two candidates will advance to Sept. 9’s special election. The winner will be sworn into Congress shortly thereafter, serving the one-plus year remaining in the current term.
