July 19, 2002
Eligible voters in Fairfax County must be 18 years of age, current U.S. citizens, residents of the County.
You may register to vote year-round, except for the 28 days prior to a general or primary election.
You can register to vote by calling 703-222-0776 or by visiting Fairfax County General Registrar's Office at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323. The Registrar's Office is open from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You may also register to vote by mail. Applications can be found at the Department of Motor Vehicles, public libraries, military recruitment offices, public assistance agency offices, government centers, Board of Supervisors offices, the citizen information desk at the County Government Center lobby, or at the Judicial Center information desk.
Voters must also show valid identification at the polls. Acceptable forms of ID include:
o Virginia Voter Information Card
o Virginia driver's license or special identification card issued by the DMV
o Valid United States passport
o Military ID card
o Any Federal, state or local government-issued ID card
o Employer-issued photo ID card
o Social Security card
Absentee voters can mail in an absentee application to the General Registrar's Office. You can pick up the application at the Registrar's Office or online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/eb/absentee.htm.
The next election is for the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2002. The following are up for a vote:
o One U.S. Senate seat
o U.S. House of Representatives: All three Northern Virginia districts, the eight, the 10th and the 11th.
o Two amendments to the Virginia Constitution:
1) To allow local governments to grant property tax exemptions for property used for charitable purposes.
2) To allow the State Supreme Court to consider claims of actual innocence presented by convicted felons.
o Two state bond issues:
1) Bond issue totaling more than $900 million for higher education. The money would be used to finance capital projects for the state's colleges and universities.
2) Bond issue totaling more than $119 million for state parks. The money would fund capital projects at state parks
o Two county bond issues:
1) Bond issue totaling $20 million for capital projects for county parks.
2) Bond issue totaling $60 million for public safety. The money would fund a new emergency center, renovations to the Jennings Judicial Center and renovations at county fire stations. It would also fund the construction of a hazardous materials facility.
o Sales Tax Referendum: To increase the sales tax across Northern Virginia by a half percent to benefit transportation projects. The ballot language for the sales tax referendum is:
"QUESTION: Shall an additional sales and use tax of one-half of one percent be imposed in Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park, with the revenues to be used solely for regional transportation projects and programs as specified in Chapter 853 of the Acts of Assembly of 2002?"
Every four years, Fairfax County voters elect supervisors to the Board of Supervisors. Each of the nine districts elects one district supervisor. The 10th member of the board, the board chairman is elected county-wide. The Board of Supervisors handle constituent services in the county, draw up the county's annual budget, set the real estate tax rate and oversee public services. They also appoint a county executive, who represents the executive branch of government. All seats on the board are up for election in November 2003. Current supervisors are:
Chairman Katherine Hanley (D), who was first elected chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors during a special election held in February 1995. Hanley was previously employed as a counselor at the University of Missouri and as a teacher and guidance counselor for the City of Falls Church public schools. She served on the Board of Supervisors from 1986 to 1995, representing the Providence District, and she served one year on the Fairfax County School Board. Hanley has a husband, Edward, and two children.
Sharon Bulova (D) was first elected to represent the Braddock District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in November 1987. Bulova has served as a representative on the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Virginia Railway Express Operations Board, and the Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council. She resides in the Kingsberry community with her husband, Lou DeFalaise, and she has two adult children and stepchildren, and two grandchildren.
Stuart Mendelsohn (R) is currently serving his second term as the representative to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the Dranesville District. Mendelsohn is "Of Counsel" in the Reston-based firm, Piper Marbury Rudnick and Wolfe L.L.P. He previously served as vice chair on the Fairfax County School Board and as the Fairfax County chair for the WJLA Roundtable on Education. Mendelsohn lives in Great Falls with his wife, Laura, and their two daughters.
Catherine M. Hudgins (D) was elected to represent the Hunter Mill District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in November 1999. Hudgins previously worked as a telecommunications manager, technical consultant and programmer/analyst for AT&T. She has served as secretary of the Fairfax County Electoral Board. Hudgins has a husband, William L. Hudgins, Jr., and two sons.
Dana Kauffman (D) was elected Lee District Supervisor in November 1995. Kauffman previously worked as vice president for commercial and residential operations at A.J. Dwoskin and Associates, Inc. He served as chief of staff for former Lee District Supervisor Joseph Alexander. Kauffman lives in the South Kings Forest section of Alexandria with his wife, Kathy, and their son.
Penelope A. Gross (D) was first elected to Mason District Supervisor in November 1995. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Counties, where she chairs the Administration of Government Steering Committee. Gross has two daughters and one stepson, and she resides in the Lincolnia section of the Mason District with her husband, Hal.
Vice Chairman Gerald W. Hyland (D) was first elected to represent the Mount Vernon District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1988. Hyland previously worked in the United States Air Force, as a Washington counsel and lobbyist for the Credit Union National Association and with a private law practice, Hyland and Hyland. He has served on the Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Board of United Community Ministries.
Gerry Connolly (D) was first elected Providence District Supervisor in a special election in March 1995. Connolly previously worked with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as vice president of the Washington Office of SRI International. He was the Providence District representative to the Fairfax County Airports Advisory Committee. Connolly lives in Mantua with his wife, Cathy, and their daughter.
Elaine McConnell (R) was first elected Springfield District Supervisor in 1983. She currently also serves as the chairman of the Economic Advisory Commission, and as a representative on the INOVA Hospital Board, the Audit Committee, the Transportation Coordinating Council and the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission. Connell lives in West Springfield with her family.
Michael Frey (R) was first elected Sully District Supervisor in November 1991. Frey has represented Fairfax County on the Washington Metropolitan Council of Government's Transportation Planning Board and the Environmental Policy Committee. He was called upon by Governor George Allen to serve as a member of the Dulles Area Regional Economic Study Commission and of the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority.
The County Executive is Anthony Griffin.