Arlington’s two main political parties are putting the finishing touches on their greet-the-voters strategies.
Democrats plan to staff all 54 county precincts from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, and have had volunteers at early-voting locations since balloting began on Sept. 20.
“We are in the midst of filling all the gaps — we’ve got to make sure every shift is filled,” said Steve Baker, chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee, on Wednesday (Oct. 9).
The party faithful are being asked to provide at least two hours of service in support of the effort.
“We can’t take anything for granted,” Baker said in pushing for volunteers. “Sign up for a shift — or two.”
At their Oct. 9 meeting, Arlington Democrats also appointed four new precinct captains, two for Precinct 141 (Navy League) and one each for 144 (Dawson Terrace) and 152 (Gunston).
They are among key ground troops in the county’s 54 precincts. Depending on size, Democrats typically have two or three captains in each.
The new appointees are being thrown into the deep end of the political pool, with little time left to gear up for the precinct-level work done by Democrats headed into an election.
Arlington Republicans do not at present have the political muscle or volunteer resources to match Democrats on a shift-by-shift basis, but are working to field recruits for precinct operations.
County GOP chair Matthew Hurtt told ARLnow that voter-greeting efforts would be one part of an effort of a party that is resuscitating itself at the local level.
“Both returning and new volunteers have stepped up to distribute thousands of sample ballots, in addition to our massive, targeted sample-ballot effort that will hit mailboxes soon,” he said.
The effort is part of a “multi-channel effort to reach tens of thousands of Republicans in Arlington to drive up turnout to close the gap for our statewide and congressional candidates while pushing [County Board nominee] Juan Carlos Fierro across the finish line,” Hurtt said.
The party, which last saw parity with Democrats in Arlington in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is in a “continuation of a multi-year strategy to increase our presence in Arlington, connect with tens of thousands of Republicans, independents and even Democrats to lay the foundation for long-term political success,” he added.
“And we will increase our efforts in 2025 and beyond,” he said.
Greens Support One County Bond Referendum: It was a split decision from the Arlington Green Party, which voted to support one of the five local bond referendums on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Greens will back the $14 million utility bond, which is “a relatively small amount and dedicated to a clearly defined need — upgrading Arlington’s sewage-treatment plant,” party officials said in a statement.
The party is opposing four other bonds “because their purpose is ambiguous or undefined or, in some cases, harmful, and because the county government and the school system have $354 million authority to issue bonds authorized by prior referenda,” party officials said.
Earlier, the Arlington County Democratic Committee voted to support all five bonds and the Arlington County Republican Committee opted to oppose all five.
The fate of the bond package is unlikely to be in any doubt. Arlington voters have not turned down any local bond proposal in more than 40 years.
Contenders for Congress, Local Offices Hosted by NAACP: Candidates for Arlington County Board, School Board and 8th District U.S. House of Representatives have confirmed attendance at an online forum on Monday, Oct. 21, to be sponsored by the NAACP Arlington Branch.
The fall forum is slated for 7 p.m., following the organization’s monthly membership meeting at 6:30 p.m.
“This structured and moderated event will help inform community members where the candidates stand on issues such as criminal justice, housing, education, economic development and community engagement,” the organization said.
Online registration is available for attendees.
