It will take at least one more day for local Democrats to decide on their nominee in the race for Braddock District supervisor.
Voting has been extended to tomorrow after technological issues led to extremely long waits at two of the three polling places used for the primary today (Saturday), the Fairfax County Democratic Committee announced.
The extra day is necessary to give everybody who wanted to vote the ability to actually do so, FCDC chair Aaron Yohai told FFXnow.
Saturday’s polling place problems were the result of a “software failure” that occurred late in the afternoon, Yohai said. For the first time, the FCDC utilized — or at least attempted to use — the all-digital web program ElectionBuddy to collect votes and tabulate the results of the ranked-choice firehouse primary.
“This malfunction was due to the unexpectedly high voter turnout driven by the impressive slate of candidates running for the nomination,” Yohai said in a statement. “After the malfunction, FCDC continued to collect registrations from voters who came to our locations.”
FFXnow observed long lines at both the Landings Community Center and the Kings Park Library in Burke, with poll workers claiming that the wait to actually cast a ballot was hours long.
At Landings Community Center, FFXnow twice observed a parking lot that appeared to be at capacity, with presumptive voters appearing to leave after failing to find a parking space. No street parking was available.
At the Kings Park Library, one poll worker for candidate Ilryong Moon estimated the wait at “two to three hours” as the line to enter the polling place snaked around the building.
No apparent lines were observed at the Fairfax County Government Center, which is a much larger venue and located just outside of the Braddock District.
Who can vote on Sunday?
Voters who registered to vote in-person today — but did not receive or cast a ballot — will be permitted to vote tomorrow. Voters who couldn’t vote but registered for online voting before the 5 p.m. deadline can also still cast a ballot, according to the FCDC.
Ballots can be cast remotely, via ElectionBuddy, and will close at 7 p.m. Anybody who experiences problems can contact the FCDC, whose office at 8500 Executive Park Ave, Suite 402, will also be open tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for individuals unable to vote remotely.
According to the committee:
Voters with the following problems are eligible for assistance: not receiving an online ballot, not being able to cast your ballot online, or not being able to receive a phone number verification code to cast your online ballot. All other voters should cast their ballot themselves, and should not go to the FCDC office.
“Our committee is committed to ensuring every voter who showed up on Saturday is able to vote and will work extensively on Sunday, Oct 5th to do so,” Yohai said. “Finally, we wish to thank our candidates, volunteers, and voters for ensuring every voter has their voice heard and supporting the democratic process.”
Voters will choose between four declared candidates seeking the Democratic nomination: Braddock District school board member Rachna Sizemore Heizer, at-large school board member Ilryong Moon, Fairfax Young Democrats co-president Sabrina Mattin and librarian April Pavis-Shroeder.
Ken Balbuena, the only Republican in the race, officially received his party’s endorsement on Friday (Oct. 3).
“The Fairfax County Republican Committee is excited to support the candidacy of Ken Balbuena for Braddock Supervisor,“ Fairfax County Republican Committee Chair Katie Gorka said when announcing the endorsement. “Ken has already served the community in so many ways, and now he will be a strong voice for lowering taxes, preserving Lake Accotink, and helping to keep Braddock neighborhoods safe and affordable.”
