On June 11, 2019 a revolution is scheduled.

There will be no blood. Change, massive change, is inevitable, but its effects won’t be fully in place for months.

Many of the powers that be in Fairfax County will step down at the end of the year, taking with them decades of historic understanding and institutional knowledge. Voters will choose their replacements, for the most part, on June 11.

It’s a huge opportunity for voters in Virginia to enact the change they want to see.

First any Virginia voter can participate in the Democratic primary because voters in Virginia do not register by party.

Second almost every candidate is describing themselves as progressive. There are of course degrees of progressive. You’ll have to tease out for yourself what matters to you. Is the county on the right track in the things that matter? If you think the county has done enough in affordable housing, is on the right path in terms of criminal justice reform and racial and economic equity, then voting for the few longtime incumbents might be right for you.

If your vision of a progressive county is a bit beyond the status quo, then you have other choices.

Every Democratic primary voter in Fairfax County will choose candidates for two critical county wide positions, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Early voting has begun already, but the cutoff to register to vote is in less than a week, May 20. You have to register (at your current address) and actually vote to have a say in choices that could define the direction of the county for the foreseeable future. With four or five candidates vying for quite a few seats, a small number of votes could decide.

Don’t miss out.

— Mary Kimm

Upcoming Elections

June 11, 2019 Democratic Party Primary Election Information

On Election Day Vote at Your Usual Polling Place, Open From 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.

To confirm that you are eligible to vote in this election, visit the Virginia State Board of Elections website at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation..

GENERAL INFORMATION

* Now:: Absentee Voting is underway at the Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Conference Rooms 2/3, Fairfax, VA

* May 20: Voter Registration Deadline to vote on June 11. In-person: 5 pm, online: 11:59 p.m.

* June 4: Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail, 5 p.m.

* June 8: Final day to vote absentee in-person, 5 p.m.

* June 11: Primary Election Day. Polling Places open 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Deadline to return ballots to the Office of Elections, 7 p.m.

See www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming for more and to find your sample ballot for Tuesday, June 11.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BALLOT, Fairfax County

Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh

Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve T. Descano

Chairman Board of Supervisors Alicia E. Plerhoples

Chairman Board of Supervisors Jeff C. McKay

Chairman Board of Supervisors Ryan L. McElveen

Chairman Board of Supervisors Timothy M. Chapman

Braddock District Member Board of Supervisors - Irma M. Corado

Braddock District Member Board of Supervisors - James R. Walkinshaw

Hunter Mill District Member Board of Supervisors - Laurie T. Dodd

Hunter Mill District Member Board of Supervisors - Maggie D. Parker

Hunter Mill District Member Board of Supervisors - Parker K. Messick

Hunter Mill District Member Board of Supervisors - Shyamali R. Hauth

Hunter Mill District Member Board of Supervisors - Walter L. Alcorn

Lee District Member Board of Supervisors - Lee James Migliaccio

Lee District Member Board of Supervisors - Lee Kelly Hebron

Lee District Member Board of Supervisors - Lee Larysa M. Kautz

Lee District Member Board of Supervisors - Lee Rodney L. Lusk

Providence District Member Board of Supervisors - Dalia Palchik

Providence District Member Board of Supervisors - Edythe F. Kelleher

Providence District Member Board of Supervisors - Ericka M. Yalowitz

Providence District Member Board of Supervisors - Linh D. Hoang

Providence District Member Board of Supervisors - Philip A. Niedzielski-Eichner

Senate 31st Democratic

Barbara Favola incumbent

Nicole K. Merlene

Senate 33rd Democratic

Jennifer B. Boysko incumbent

M. Sharafat Hussain

Senate 35th Democratic

Richard L. "Dick" Saslaw incumbent

Yasmine P. Taeb

Karen Elena Torrent