From The Center Square:
The districts most likely to shift Virginia’s current balance of power in the House of Representatives from Democratic to Republican would be District 7 or 10, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project – but that may prove a tough feat for District 10’s Republican Mike Clancy.
Clancy is a lawyer, tech executive and “national media commentator,” according to his campaign website. He was the clear winner of the district’s Republican primary, capturing nearly 65% of the vote. But he has never been elected to state-level office before. At the same time, his competitor is Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun, elected to the state Senate after two terms in its House of Delegates.
From The Center Square:
Republican leaders are praising Wednesday’s 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court decision to allow Virginia to keep “noncitizens” off the voter rolls.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, who led the appeal in the highest court, calls the ruling a “win for election integrity and the rule of law.” Although pleased with the outcome, he expressed concern with the Biden-Harris administration’s attempt to “execute” his lawsuit.
Manassas City Public Schools face increased scrutiny over falling student performance and a contentious grading policy as the November election approaches. During a recent town hall hosted by Potomac Local News, candidates for the city’s school board and concerned residents discussed the troubling decline in Standards of Learning (SOL) scores and how the division’s grading practices may exacerbate the issue.
In the past year, SOL scores for Manassas students have significantly dropped, leaving the school division well below state averages. Two of the city’s schools, Osbourn High School and Metz Middle School, remain partially accredited under pandemic-era standards and struggle to meet performance benchmarks. Caitlyn Meisner, our Manassas Local Editor, covering the school board for Potomac Local News, has followed the downward trend closely since late 2023.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Republicans may be eclipsing Democrats in early in-person voting this year in Virginia, though Democrats appear to be outperforming Republicans in submitting mail-in ballots, according to data compiled by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project.
Just two weeks out from the presidential election, Republicans are likely to have cast 46.5% of early in-person ballots, while Democrats likely account for 45.5%.
Ross Snare has resigned as Chairman of the Manassas Regional Airport Commission, effective Monday, October 21, 2024. His departure comes amid unverified allegations involving disparaging remarks about a city council member, adding fuel to an already heated local election season.
Snare, a Prince William County resident, was appointed to the commission by the Manassas City Council in 2018 and reappointed in 2022. He made history in June 2023 by becoming the youngest and first county Prince William County resident to serve as Chairman. During his tenure, Snare played a pivotal role in the airport’s efforts to introduce commercial flights, a milestone now expected to be achieved in 2026, a year behind the initial schedule.
In his resignation letter to the city council, Snare cited personal matters and other commitments as his reasons for stepping down. “Serving as chair during this transition over the past several years has been the honor of a lifetime,” Snare wrote. “I wish you all the best during this transition.”
The resignation followed a podcast episode of “Until They Kick Us Out,” where hosts read aloud text messages they claimed were between Snare, Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, and a city employee, allegedly disparaging a sitting council member. Potomac Local News has not independently verified these messages.
This development occurs in the context of a contentious local election, where incumbent Mayor Michelle Davis Younger, a Democrat, faces challenger Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom, a Republican and longtime city business owner. The podcast hosts have publicly endorsed Byrom for the upcoming November election. With three city council seats and four school board seats also in contention, the campaign has been marked by polarizing debates over property taxes, public safety, capital projects, and school accreditation.
Snare, who currently serves as the Associate Chief of External Affairs for UVA Health, has a background in political affairs and community service, including his role as the Chief Operating Officer of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. He has been a vocal advocate for the airport, highlighting its economic impact, which includes $375 million in annual economic activity and over 1,350 jobs.
The Manassas Regional Airport, which covers 889 acres, is the busiest general aviation airport in Virginia, with plans to transform it into a hub for commercial passenger flights. The commission’s recent approval of these plans is seen as a significant step toward achieving a vision that has been in the works since the mid-1990s.
A new survey conducted by the Wason Center reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris leads former President Donald Trump by 11 points in the race for the White House among likely voters in Virginia.
Harris garners 52% of the vote compared to Trump’s 41%, with 4% of voters undecided and 3% choosing another candidate. Harris’s support is particularly strong among women, Black voters, and college-educated individuals, while Trump maintains strong backing among Republicans and a slight edge with white voters.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine holds a commanding 20-point lead over Republican Hung Cao. Kaine currently has the support of 55% of likely voters, compared to Cao’s 35%, with 8% undecided.
Key issues driving voter decisions include inflation and the economy, which 29% of respondents identified as their top concern. Other prominent issues include threats to democracy (18%), immigration (11%), and abortion (10%).
Virginia voters believe Harris is better equipped than Trump to handle a range of issues, including threats to democracy and racial inequality, but they are closely divided on who would better manage inflation and the economy. The U.S. Senate race shows a significant gap in name recognition, with 54% of respondents unfamiliar with Cao, compared to Kaine’s broad favorability.
The survey, conducted between September 28 and October 4, 2024, polled 800 likely voters across the Commonwealth.
Manassas is gearing up for an engaging Mayoral Forum on October 1, 2024. The event, featuring incumbent Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger (D) and challenger Xiao-Yin Tang Byrom (R), will be held at the Manassas Museum, located at 9101 Prince William Street. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the program will commence promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Organized to give residents a direct channel to hear from the candidates about their visions and policies, the forum promises a thorough discourse on local issues. It will be moderated by trusted local entities, including InsideNova and the Prince William Times, and Potomac Local News.
Registration is mandatory for those planning to attend in person. Details are available on the event’s website. The venue will also provide light refreshments.
Understanding the importance of reaching a broader audience, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce will extend its service to the community by streaming the debate live on its official Facebook page. This service primarily targets those who cannot attend the forum in person. Interested viewers can access the live stream at facebook.com/pwchamber.
The Prince William Chamber notes that while it aims to provide uninterrupted streaming, it reserves the right to end the broadcast at any time and is not responsible for any potential streaming interruptions. This measure ensures that the event remains exclusive to registered and present attendees should there be any unforeseen issues with the online broadcast, the chamber states.
The Prince William Chamber provided the candidates with the questions in advance.
Early voting for the mayoral election, three open seats on the city council, and two on the school board is underway at the city’s voter registration office. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
So far this year, Stafford County reported the highest number of early ballots cast among the listed jurisdictions, with 4,682 votes, showing a significant increase from 2,779 in 2020.
Manassas saw a decrease in early voting numbers, with 2,652 ballots cast in 2024 compared to 3,051 in 2020. Prince William County also experienced a notable drop, with 1,022 early votes in 2024, down from 3,096 in the previous election cycle.
In Fredericksburg and Manassas Park, where no early voting data is available from 2020, 688 and 966 ballots were cast in 2024, so far.
Prince William County Voter Registrar Eric Olsen shared his expectations for the turnout on the first day of early voting, Friday, September 202, 2024, emphasizing the expanded capacity at the polling location. “I would say at least 1,000, probably as many as a couple thousand [voters today],” Olsen said. “We’ve expanded our capacity inside, so we have more check-in stations. We can get through a couple thousand people today if we need to.” Ultimately, when polls closed at 4:30, a little over 1200 voters cast their ballots in Prince William County.
While Olsen noted the potential for a solid early turnout, he said early voting activity often happens closer to Election Day. “We saw 80% of our voting happen in the last three weeks [of early voting in previous years],” he explained. “We contracted the early voting period [in the first few weeks], but expanded the number of locations, weekends, and extended hours during the last three weeks because that’s when people most commonly vote.”
Olsen encouraged residents to use official sources of information to plan their voting, stating, “Go to pwcvotes.org to get all the hours, locations, and dates. You can apply for a mail ballot online if you’d rather not wait in line.” As of the opening hours on the first day, Olsen estimated that about 30 to 40 voters had already lined up. “So far this morning, maybe a 10 or 15-minute wait at the start, which isn’t too bad.”
Prince William County Supervisor for the Coles District Yesli Vega, made a point to be at the polls today because “Voting is the most important thing we can do as citizens. I encourage every eligible voter to get out and vote as early as they can.” Vega was the only County elected official observed at the poll site although Chair Deshundra Jefferson did put out a social media post inviting citizens to vote.
First-Day Voter Experiences
Susan Dunn, a voter from Bristow, was among those who cast her vote early. She said the process was smooth, but practical considerations influenced her decision to vote early. “Once you vote, they take you off the [mail] register. So all those mailers you get will save [campaigns] money, and that way they can focus on other people,” Dunn explained.
When asked about concerns over voter fraud, Dunn acknowledged the lingering doubt some voters feel. “I always wonder whether my vote counts after the last election fiasco, but I’ll do what I have to do to get it in,” she said. “I would hate to hear my voice if I got there to vote and they said, ‘Sorry, our records show you voted already,’ that would not be the end of it.”
For those still considering when to vote, Dunn encouraged early participation. “I’d suggest they come out early, get their vote in, make it count. Do it sooner rather than later,” she said.
Manassas Candidates Share Their Views
As early voting got underway, several local candidates also shared their perspectives on the key issues facing voters in the region. Tom Osina, a Manassas City Council candidate running for re-election, highlighted the economic growth efforts in the city. “For us, it’s things like we brought commercial air service, we have done several land purchases that are going to bring continued prosperity here,” Osina said. He pointed to projects such as the redevelopment of the Mathis Avenue Shopping Center and the construction of new facilities like the Marstellar community center and a new firehouse. “The vision for the future is not only continuing that work here, but actually trying to now use those pieces as catalysts to do better services for the public.”
Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, also running for re-election, stressed the importance of voter participation. “It is so important to exercise that right, no matter what,” Davis-Younger said. “I often say it doesn’t matter [your] party because we all want what’s best for this country and locally here, so just exercise the right because it is your voice.”
On the issues facing Manassas City, Davis-Younger identified the city’s rapid development as a central concern. “The growth, how we’re handling the growth of the city, making sure that the infrastructure is here and that we’re able to handle the new developments that we’re doing,” she said, adding that maintaining coordination between the City Council and the School Board is essential to the city’s progress.
Lynn Forkell Green, another candidate for Manassas City Council, expressed concerns over education, infrastructure, and public safety. “Our infrastructure needs to be addressed in a proactive nature,” Green said. “We have a lot of growth happening right now. We have data centers that have already been approved and we’re going to need to really assess our needs, our grid capacity, and what we’re going to have to do so that we’re not being reactive down the road.” Green also called for reforms in the city’s schools, criticizing their current performance and pushing for new leadership on the school board. “No matter how much money we’re throwing at the schools, they’re just not performing. We have to address that.”
On public safety, Green noted a rise in crime, pointing to recent incidents in the city. “We need to do a lot of evaluation,” she said, suggesting that more police officers may be necessary. “I think the answer is probably yes.”
Voting Logistics and Information
Prince William County
Residents can vote at 9250 Lee Ave, Suite 1, Manassas. Voting hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Weekend voting will begin on October 13.
Manassas
Early voting occurs at 9025 Center Street, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office will be closed on Monday, October 14, in observance of Columbus Day.
Additional in-person early voting dates have been scheduled for Sunday, October 13, from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – the final day for early in-person voting.
Stafford County
Early voting will occur at the Registrar’s Office at 124 Old Potomac Church Road, Suite 205, Stafford. Voters are reminded that early voting is not being held at the Government Center this year. The early voting period runs until Friday, November 1, with hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday voting will also be available on October 26 and November 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voters should note the office will be closed on October 14, and November 2 is the county’s final day for early voting.
Fredericksburg
Residents can vote early at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 601 Caroline Street, Suite 500. Early voting starts on Friday, September 20, with regular hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Extended hours will be available on Thursday, October 24, and Wednesday, October 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday voting is available on October 26 and November 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Manassas Park
Residents can vote early in person through Saturday, November 2, 2024. To cast their absentee ballot, voters can visit the General Registrar’s office at City Hall. No prior application is needed to vote absentee in person.
City Hall will be open for early voting Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition, drop boxes will be available for voters to submit their mailed absentee ballots, including on Election Day, November 5, 2024.
City Hall will offer two Saturday voting days for those who prefer to vote on weekends. The first will be on October 26, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a final Saturday voting opportunity on November 2, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will be the last chance to vote early in person before Election Day.
Residents can apply for absentee voting through the Virginia Department of Elections at vote.elections.virginia.gov/voterinformation.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, and polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WJLA-TV: “7News hosted a Your Voice, Your Vote on Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Debate Tuesday, Sept. 24.
We invited Republican Derrick Anderson and Democratic candidate Eugene Vindman to the debate. Anderson is the only one who accepted.
You can watch the debate on our YouTube page. Anchor Scott Thuman and Reporter Nick Minock talked to the candidate about both national and local issues — including the economy, immigration and abortion.
They also discussed issues that matter to residents of Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties.”
