As early voting continues across the area, the voter turnout for 2024 reflects shifts in participation compared to previous election cycles, with mixed trends between mail-in and in-person ballots.
Manassas Park Overview
Patricia Brendel, the Director of Elections for Manassas Park, provided data showing a decrease in mail-in ballots from the 2020 presidential election, attributing the drop to the heightened demand for mail-in voting due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.
In comparison:
– 2016 Mail-In Ballots: 485
– 2020 Mail-In Ballots: 2,013
– 2024 Mail-In Ballots (as of 10/28): 801
Despite this, in-person voting turnout has been robust. With increased opportunities for early, no-excuse voting, in-person turnout remains stronger than in 2016.
– 2016 In-Person Early Voting: 752
– 2020 In-Person Early Voting: 2,718
– 2024 In-Person Early Voting (as of 10/28): 1,894
Brendel anticipates a strong turnout on Election Day itself, potentially surpassing 2020’s 1,618-voter turnout in the election-day precincts.
Stafford County Trends
Stafford County also shows a solid early voting response, though, like Manassas Park, numbers remain below 2020 levels. General Registrar Anna Hash reports that 23,777 residents have voted early in person as of yesterday, while 7,113 mail-in ballots have been returned.
Although specific comparative figures from 2020 are unavailable, Hash maintains that turnout levels indicate healthy voter engagement.
As the 2024 election approaches, both counties are preparing for continued voter activity. Election Day turnout could potentially close the gap in 2020 figures.
We also asked Prince William County, Manassas, and Fredericksburg cities and will post information from those locations upon receipt.
Election Day is in one week, Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
During the October 28, 2024, Manassas City Council meeting, Patrick Small, the city’s economic development director, provided a long-awaited update on the upcoming downtown hotel project.
The project, which aims to bring a Hilton Tapestry hotel to a prime location in downtown Manassas, is expected to bolster local business, attract tourism, and add significant tax revenue despite ongoing challenges related to parking solutions.
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Prince William County Parks and Recreation partnered with Amazon Web Services InCommunites, a sector of the cloud-based service that helps local communities, and KABOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity, to make the new Fairmont Park playground possible.
The playground was designed by 30 children from Prince William County who shared drawings of their dream space. Demolition on the existing playground started in early October, and the playground was just recently completed following a week-long effort by volunteers to construct the new space.
More than 240 volunteers assisted from Oct. 23 through Saturday to make sure Fairmont Park was completed and ready for use by local children.
“We’re proud to amplify the efforts of organizations like Prince William County Parks and Recreation and KABOOM! to create welcoming spaces where children and families from all backgrounds and abilities can play and thrive,” Sarah Georgiades, head of InCommunities, Americas at AWS, said. “The new playspace at Fairmont Park is a testament to what we can achieve together, and we’re excited to continue working alongside the Prince William County community to drive positive change.”
Keen said city staff has been discussing the strain hosting several events has on the city's infrastructure and their workload.
"We have been a victim of our own successes," Keen said. "All of our events, when we first started [First Friday], we were just hopeful to get a few people to come to Old Town. ... We're so crowded. But what that has caused ... is the strain on our infrastructure for some of the locations, the strain on our staff and the strain on our community as a whole."
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Jennifer Chapman, Ed.D., the new Osbourn High School principal, gave a lengthy presentation to the School Board on Oct. 22 about the school's accreditation, new policies and student performance.
Chapman, who started at Osbourn this summer, was before the Board for nearly 1.5 hours during the three-hour meeting. She acknowledged that OHS wasn't in the best position.
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The new principal of Osbourn High School has rolled out a variety of new policies and practices in an effort to increase student performance at Manassas’ only high school.
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We had a blast at Haunted Happenings in Downtown Manassas. The streets were closed to vehicles, allowing families to stroll and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Seeing so many creative costumes was a delight, and the business owners were incredibly welcoming. They greeted everyone warmly, handed out candy, and decorated their shops, making the experience even more magical. Many also invited us in for some shopping, adding to the day’s fun.
We’d love to see your photos from the event! Share your Halloween moments with us by emailing them to [email protected] or texting them to 571-989-1695.
If you missed it, don’t worry! On November 1 from 6 to 9 p.m., celebrate First Friday in Historic Downtown Manassas. Bring your family and friends to experience the charm of our city and enjoy great promotions and offers from local restaurants, cafes, and stores.
With live music, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a night not to be missed. Plus, D.O.R.A. (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas) will be active from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Recent data presented at the October 22 Manassas City School Board meeting showed that Osbourn High School has seen a significant rise in absenteeism. Over 16% of its student population has been categorized as chronically absent, meaning they miss more than 10% of the school year. This places Osbourn among the city's schools, which are struggling the most with attendance, directly affecting its academic performance and state accreditation.
Student absenteeism has become a growing concern in Manassas City Public Schools, with Osbourn High School facing particularly troubling attendance trends. During a Potomac Local News forum on October 17, 2024, school board candidates and community leaders discussed the root causes of absenteeism and the efforts needed to address this critical issue.
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The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Osbourn High School is a shining example of how Manassas City Public Schools are preparing students for both college and careers by offering practical, hands-on learning experiences. The program covers a variety of fields, including health sciences, information technology, automotive technology, welding, and cosmetology, helping students gain the technical skills they need to thrive in today’s job market.
During a Potomac Local News forum held on October 17, 2024, Maidy Whitesell, a school board candidate and longtime community volunteer, highlighted the need for expanding the program to meet student demand. "There’s a lot of interest in fields like plumbing and electrical work. These are valuable skills, not just for immediate employment but for life in general. We should continue to expand the program to give our students more opportunities to succeed," Whitesell said during a recent town hall forum on Manassas City schools.
