Voter Turnout In Herndon Remains Steady Through Midday: Election 2022

HERNDON, VA — Voter turnout was steady at the Herndon Community Center polling place around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to precinct chief Mykelle Laws.

"It's been good. It's been constant," she said. "The line doesn't ever get past 20, I don't think. That's pretty good. It moves. There's a lot of extra types of voting, because of the absentee ballots that have been coming in, but that's the only difference."

As of 12 noon, 801 people had voted at the Herndon #1 precinct (Herndon Elementary), 632 at Herndon #2 (Herndon Community Center, and 583 at Herndon #3 (Herndon Middle School).

Town of Herndon residents went to the polls on Tuesday to vote in the 11th District congressional race and for mayor and town council races.

Incumbent Mayor Sheila Olem was facing two challengers on Tuesday, town council members Sean Regan and Jasbinder Singh.

In addition, nine candidates were running to fill six seats on the Herndon Town Council. Incumbents Naila Alam, Cesar del Aguila, Pradip Dhakal, and Signe Friedrichs faced challengers Clark A. Hedrick, Keven J. LeBlanc Jr., Stevan M. Porter, Donielle M. Scherff, and Roland B. Taylor.

As to what was motivating voters to come out to the polls on Tuesday, Maria Schweigert, who's been a town resident since 1989 had a simple answer.

"The economy," she said. "Absolutely the economy."

Herndon residents living outside the town only had one race on the ballot on Tuesday. Incumbent Democrat Gerry Connolly was facing GOP challenger Jim Myles in the 11 District congressional race.

Precinct captain Ken Gubin of the Fairfax County Democrats - Dranesville District said that voting at the Sugarland precinct at Herndon High School was steady.
"We had 500 as of 10 o'clock, which I think is a pretty good turnout. A lot of people vote early."

"I think we're looking at over 50 percent turnout, which is pretty good for and off-year, mid-term election," said Hedrick, who was talking to voters Tuesday afternoon outside the polling place at the Herndon Community Center.

Hedrick ran as a town council candidate in 2020. This time around, voters seemed more interested in talking to him about local issues than they were two year ago.

"I think that a lot of folks are looking for some change," he said.

Dhakal was also greeting voters outside the community center on Tuesday. He thought that the congressional race on the ballot was motivating a lot of people to come to the polls. But at the same time, voters were also looking for a change in leadership in the town.

Asked about accusations of partisanship in the Town of Herndon election this year, Dhakal laughed.

"That's a regular issue that happens every election," he said, "I'm not surprised with that."

Polls will remain open in Virginia until 7 p.m., and anyone in line at the time will still be able to vote.