Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel was on hand to greet and thank the voters who were lined up even before the doors opened at the Herndon Community Center polling station. Merkel, who is up for re-election, said one of the reasons she loves being the Mayor, is that “Herndon has an unshakeable sense of community.” Jeff Bradley – holding the small red “Vote” sign - and Karen Bradley agree. Photo by Andrea Worker.
Herndon — Mayor Lisa Merkel was on hand to welcome the first wave of voters at the Herndon Community Center, although she was not the first one to show up at the front doors.
That honor belonged to Marcus Blanco, who earned first place by arriving at 4 a.m. “But I wasn’t all alone,” said Blanco. Polling officials were already on the job. By the time the polls actually opened at 6 a.m., the line had already curved around the building, so Blanco may have been tired, but he was pleased to get his civic duty done without the additional wait.
Jameelah Sessons was next in line, joining Blanco around 5. She kept her selection for President to herself, but was happy to announce her endorsement for Merkel, who is running for re-election.
When the doors opened, the line moved quickly. Keith Magnusson, midway down the first turn of the line, laughed that getting to the entrance was a bit like “running the gauntlet,” with supporters for both presidential candidates and the Town’s political positions and people on both sides of the referendums handing out sample ballots and last-minute appeals. “But everyone has been pretty upbeat and friendly. Too bad the whole election wasn’t more like this.”
Magnusson was right about the “vibe” at this particular polling place. The Clinton and the Trump camps could be seen chatting amicably while they waited for the next wave of voters to come along. There was lots of hand-shaking, a few hugs and a scene of neighbors meeting for a special occasion that almost felt like a block party, instead of the final round of a contentious election cycle that has often been marked by tension and even outbursts of violence.
Around Herndon, signs either “for” or “against” the Meals Tax Referendum vied with those in support of individual politicians. In some places, those signs actually outnumbered the others. Jackie Johnson, co-owner with husband Jeff of JJ Deli at the Centennial Golf Course, was there not only to support Donald Trump for President, but to “hopefully help defeat the Meals Tax. We already pay a meals tax in Herndon. This will not only hurt businesses, but families, as well,” she said.
Things were equally peaceful over at the polling station at Frying Pan Park. Poll Watchers were on hand for both the Democrats and the Republicans, as well as an official, neutral “Election Protection” volunteer who watched the proceedings and stood ready to answer questions.
“That’s one of the reasons I love being mayor of Herndon,” said Merkel. “We have such a strong sense of community here that can withstand a lot.”
Voter Nadia Rodriguez agrees with Mayor Merkel. “I just hope that we can keep that feeling going afterwards,” she said. “I’m kind of afraid that the hard part is only just starting.”