After returning to class today (Monday), students at Fairfax County’s public schools can look forward to an extra day off next month.
With “more than half” of them being used as polling places in Sept. 9’s special election, Fairfax County Public Schools announced earlier this month that all 199 of its schools will be closed that day at the suggestion of the Fairfax County Office of Elections.
“We made this decision because the expected volume of voters would cause significant disruption to the school day,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said.
The election for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which consists of most of Fairfax County, will utilize dozens of schools across the district, including Lake Braddock Secondary School, Centreville High School and more.
“I believe closing schools is the best way for us to keep our community safe, minimize disruptions, and ensure our buildings are ready and accessible for voters,” Reid said.
Unlike primary elections for the seat, which were organized by local party committees, the general election will be overseen by Virginia’s Board of Elections and operate more like a regularly-scheduled election.
Early voting has been underway since late June, with additional sites scheduled to open later this month. On the day of the election, voters will use their usual precinct, which can be looked up on the Virginia Department of Elections’ website.
The election will pit Democrat James Walkinshaw against Republican Stewart Whitson. The winner will serve the remainder of the term of the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, who died of esophageal cancer in May.
Walkinshaw, who spent nearly 11 years working as Connolly’s chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives, received Connolly’s endorsement prior to his death. Walkinshaw is currently in his second term as Braddock District supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Whitson, a former FBI agent and pro-DOGE advocate, is working to wrestle the seat away from Democratic control for the first time since before Connolly took office in 2008.
On Sept. 9, polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Potential voters have until Sept. 2 to register, though same-day registration will be available, according to county officials.
