The short line was contained within the Sydenstricker precinct as polls opened in the dark at 6 a.m. on Nov. 5, Election Day 2024
In 2020’s General Election, Virginia’s Department of Elections reported the highest number of ballots cast in a presidential election in the history of the Commonwealth. There was a turnout of 4,486,821, or over 75 percent of registered voters. In 2020, in Fairfax County a majority of those voters selected Joe Biden; 69.9% for Biden, 28.0% for Trump. Only three county magisterial districts voted a majority for Trump: Dranesville, Springfield and Sully.
Fast forward to 2024’s General Election, high voter turnout was anticipated. Early voting was a popular choice with 43 percent choosing one of the early voting options. Eager voters, over 85,000 strong, had ballots returned at the start of early voting on Sept. 20 and 21. Over 4,000 appeared in-person on those first two days. Daily early in-person voting continued with about 2,000 voting each day, until Oct. 17 when daily voting totals rose to between 7,000 to 15,000 each day. At the end of the early voting period on Nov. 2, over 322,000 had cast a ballot. [Source: Fairfax County Office of Elections. For more on election data see https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/home-page]
Dubbed by both the Democrat and Republican parties as the most impactful election of our time, this is what some voters had to say about voting on General Election Day, Nov 5, 2024, and about their anxiety around this year’s election.
Jasmine Sharpe
“I didn’t think about voting early … but probably will next year. I came early here because I thought there might be a line. A little anxious this time but glad to be able to give input no matter the results.”
Stedt Family: Chris, Elaine, Caitlin
Chris and Elaine have always voted together on General Election Day; a tradition for 21 years now. Chris says, “This is how it is done; getting up, voting, going to work.” Elaine adds “I love the process and talking to volunteers.”
They talk about the issues together and usually agree on their vote choices. First time voter, 18 year old Caitlin Stedt said, “It's a really important election because of the candidates. I don’t feel safe having Trump in office and it's important that I got to vote for the first female president. I have a sister who is too young to vote and I want to vote to protect her rights as well as mine.” Chris answered, “Felt anxious and will for a couple more days.” Caitlin worries about possible violence in D.C. where her mother works.
Curtis, Amber and Parker Cardoza
Amber explained, “We just moved here and didn’t know of the early voting option, but voting together on Election Day has become a tradition.” Curtis said,” Tried not to invest too much emotion in it [the election]. Amber sees, “potential hope and excitement” in the outcome.
Eleven year old Parker, coming to see the polling place for the first time said, “I couldn’t see much.”
Emily Kauffman
“This location [Sydenstricker] is easy to vote at and worked. I feel tension about this election as a queer, single mother living on the edge of the poverty line. I’m anxious about Trump being in office again.”