election | ARLnow.com

Democrats line up to run in Virginia congressional districts, even before voters approve them

Published April 14, 2026 at 5:05PM

Redistricting signs outside of the Bozman building in Courthouse (Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok)

Even before Virginia voters decide on a new congressional map, Democrats are piling in to run for districts proposed under a redistricting plan that is designed to give their party a near sweep of the state’s U.S. House seats.

The latest entrant is Olivia Troye, who was an aide to former Republican Vice President Mike Pence and has become a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. She announced today (Tuesda)y that she’ll run in Virginia’s newly created 7th Congressional District, which would include much of Arlington, joining an already crowded field.

News

Local redistricting advocate and opponent debate ‘new rules of the game’

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 13, 2026 at 8:30AM

Redistricting signs outside of the Bozman building in Courthouse (Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok)

A supporter and an opponent of Virginia’s April 21 congressional redistricting referendum found themselves in agreement on at least one thing during an April 8 forum sponsored by Advance Arlington.

Del. Marcus Simon (D-13), speaking in favor of the referendum, and former Arlington Electoral Board member Richard Samp, who opposes it, both suggested that an ever-escalating national political tit-for-tat on gerrymandering is not the way to run a country.

News

Arlington will have funds to cover this year’s unusual elections, county manager promises

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 10, 2026 at 8:30AM

A man inserts a ballot into a voting machine at Walter Reed Community Center on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Even though the current Arlington County budget draft doesn’t include additional costs from this year’s change-ups at the ballot box, the county government is still planning to cover them.

Elections Director Gretchen Reinemeyer laid out budget pressures during an April 7 work session with Board members, voicing concern that her office’s proposed $2.18 million budget likely would not be robust enough to handle additional requirements this year.

News

More contenders for redrawn 7th Congressional District make case to Arlington Democrats

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 9, 2026 at 3:45PM

An ‘I voted in Arlington’ sticker (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Four more contenders in a potentially redrawn 7th Congressional District made their pitches to Arlington Democrats on April 8.

J.P. Cooney, Dave Kennedy, Del. Adele McClure and State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim join a field of Democrats for the 7th District that includes State Sen. Dan Helmer, who spoke to county Democrats in March, and former Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, who has yet to make an appearance. Another contender, Joe Schiarizzi, announced his candidacy today (Thursday).

News

Ranked-choice advocates see opportunity in potential elections scrambles after redistricting

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 6, 2026 at 10:00AM

Arlington voter casts a ballot in the 2024 general election (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Backers of ranked-choice voting (RCV) believe this fall’s congressional races may bolster their case for changing the format of statewide elections.

If Virginia voters approve the congressional redistricting constitutional amendment on April 21, crowded ballots in many parts of the state could lead to future representatives being selected by an unusually small sliver of the overall electorate.

Schools

APS students will have off for April 21 redistricting referendum after split vote

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 30, 2026 at 12:45PM

School Board member Kathleen Clark (screenshot via Arlington Public Schools)

Arlington Public Schools students will have off during a statewide redistricting referendum following a divided School Board vote last week.

In a 3-2 vote last Thursday, School Board members voted to give students the day off on Tuesday, April 21. The decision represented a split between a majority who saw logistical and safety concerns in keeping students in class, and those who did not wish to lose another instructional day and force parents to scramble for daycare options.

News

County Board extends ranked-choice voting but declines to make it permanent

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 16, 2026 at 2:45PM

A man inserts a ballot into a voting machine at Walter Reed Community Center on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County Board elections will continue to use ranked-choice voting through at least 2027.

County Board members unanimously opted for a two-year extension of the pilot program that has been in place since 2024 — coming up short of advocates’ requests to make the switch permanent for all future general elections.

News

Campaign signs can stay on Arlington medians, but with new restrictions

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

A James DeVita campaign sign (staff photo by Dan Egitto)

The Arlington County Board has voted to restrict, but not eliminate, the placement of campaign signs and other signage on county medians.

In a 4-1 vote, a majority of Board members said the compromise is a reasonable middle ground that will reduce clutter without severely impacting candidates’ ability to get their messages out.

News

Ranked-choice voting, ban on median signs highlight County Board agenda

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

Campaign signs at the Madison Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 (staff photo)

Making ranked-choice voting permanent and potentially banning campaign signage on local rights-of-way top the agenda for County Board members’ meeting this weekend.

Other items scheduled for discussion at the Saturday meeting include an $8 million contract for Wilson Blvd street improvements, a $5 million contract for a culvert replacement on N. Dumbarton Street and a hearing on relocating the Madison Community Center’s early voting site during renovations there.

News

JUST IN: Candidate attacked outside of library while gathering signatures for County Board run

By ARLnow.com

Published March 9, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 9, 2026 at 9:08PM

Audrey Clement and David Wingard gathering signatures outside of Arlington Central Library on Monday, March 9, 2026 (staff photo)

Frequent local candidate Audrey Clement was attacked over the weekend while gathering signatures for another Arlington County Board run, ARLnow has learned.

The incident happened just before 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, outside of Arlington Central Library in Virginia Square.

News

Candidates in two possible congressional districts make pitches to Arlington Dems

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 9, 2026 at 8:30AM

Del. Dan Helmer speaks to Arlington Democrats (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

It’s still far from clear what the district boundaries will be, but two more congressional candidates pitched their case to Arlington Democrats last week.

Del. Dan Helmer (D-10), of Fairfax County, became the first candidate seeking the redrawn 7th Congressional District seat to launch a bid in front of county Democrats.

News

As early voting begins on redistricting referendum, Arlington Dems and GOP seek to rally

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 6, 2026 at 9:15AM

An ‘I voted in Arlington’ sticker (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Arlington’s two main political parties are driving opposing messages as early voting on Virginia’s congressional redistricting referendum began this morning (Friday).

The Arlington County Democratic Committee’s rank and file voted to support the redrawing of the commonwealth’s 11 congressional districts at a Wednesday meeting.