Poll volunteers reported steady but light voter turnout through the morning and afternoon. Whether due to lower election day turn-out due to expanded early voting opportunities or the traditionally lower turn-out for off-year elections, will not be known until voting trends are analyzed after Election Day.
A smattering of first time voters coming for the Election Day experience, and young future voters off from school for the day accompanying parents were among those visiting polling places. Also some of those who had requested a mail in ballot were at polling places using direct drop boxes to assure their vote was received in time to be counted. The deadline for drop box use was Election Day, 7 p.m., or if mailed, postmarked on Election Day and received by the local Registrar by Noon on Nov. 14 to be counted.
Two-term U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) greeted voters mid-afternoon at the Clifton precinct, supported by State Sen. George Barker (D), and Del. Dan Helmer (D). Her race for the 10th Congressional District seat against political newcomer Hung Cao, a Navy career veteran, has been watched nationally as a potential bell-weather.
“We’re used to tension, but it’s pretty intense this year, and people are coming out to vote,” Wexton said. “Election officials tell us they are in good shape so we hope to know results by the end of the day. I appreciate everyone coming out to vote.”
Wexton, along with her northern Virginia Democratic incumbent colleagues, Beyer, Connolly, and Spanberger, would be unofficial winners on election night.
Voters moved quickly through the voting process with only one selection to make on the ballot, for House of Representatives. Several spoke of being unaccustomed to the lack of multiple candidates and ballot questions. This year’s ballot was easier for voters to research with only one seat, (unless you live in City of Fairfax or Town of Herndon). Voters will face a full slate of state senate, delegate, board of supervisors, school board, sheriff, and commonwealth attorney positions in November 2023.
U.S. House of Representatives Results
7th District
Abigail A. Spanberger (D) 140,185 51.88%
Yesli I. Vega (R) 129,370 47.88%
8th District
Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D) 189,195 73.26%
Karina A. Lipsman (R) 64,768 25.08%
Teddy Fikre (I) 3,796 1.47%
10th District
Jennifer T. Wexton (D) 152,557 52.84%
Hung Cao (R) 135,575 40.96%
11th District
Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly (D) 184,593 66.19%
James G. "Jim" Myles (R) 93,460 33.51%
SOURCE: Unofficial Results from Virginia Department of Elections