2016 Election Update: Here's Who's Running in Reston Local Elections

RESTON, VA — Election Day is fast approaching, and everyone is certainly paying close attention to whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton will claim the presidency, but there are also important local races to pay attention to as well.

This Nov. 8, it's important to realize that there's more at stake for Reston than who will become the next president. We've provided a breakdown of the local elections below as the big day gets closer and closer.

U. S. House of Representatives, 11th District

G.E. "Gerry" Connolly, D (running unopposed)

Proposed Constitutional Amendments

Question 1

Should Article I of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to prohibit any agreement or combination between an employer and a labor union or labor organization whereby (i) nonmembers of the union or organization are denied the right to work for the employer, (ii) membership to the union or organization is made a condition of employment or continuation of employment by such employer, or (iii) the union or organization acquires an employment monopoly in any such enterprise?

Question 2

Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to provide an option to the localities to exempt from taxation the real property of the surviving spouse of any law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel who was killed in the line of duty, where the surviving spouse occupies the real property as his or her principal place of residence and has not remarried?

Fairfax County Referendum and Bond Issues

Meals Tax

For the purpose of reducing dependence on real estate taxes, shall the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, be authorized to levy a tax on prepared food and beverages, otherwise known as a meals tax, as allowed by Virginia Code § 58.1-3833, at a rate not to exceed four percent (4%) of the amount charged for prepared food and beverages (which, based upon state law, is applicable only to sales outside of the town of Clifton, and towns of Herndon and Vienna that have already implemented a meals tax)? The revenues generated shall be dedicated to the following purposes:

1. 70 percent of the net revenues to Fairfax County Public Schools.

2. 30 percent of the net revenues to County services, capital improvements and property tax relief.

Transportation Bonds

Shall the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, contract a debt, borrow money and issue bonds, in addition to bonds previously authorized for transportation improvements and facilities, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $120,000,000 to finance Fairfax County’s share, under the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact, of the cost of constructing, reconstructing, improving and acquiring transportation improvements and facilities, including capital costs of land, transit facilities, rolling stock and equipment in the Washington metropolitan area, and to finance improvements to primary and secondary State highways and ancillary related improvements and facilities?

Parks and Park Facilities Bond

Shall the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, contract a debt, borrow money and issue bonds, in addition to bonds previously authorized for parks and park facilities, in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $107,000,000: (i) $94,700,000 principal amount to finance the Fairfax County Park Authority’s cost to acquire, construct, develop and equip additional parks and park facilities, to preserve open-space land, and to develop and improve existing parks and park facilities; and (ii) $1 2,300,000 principal amount for Fairfax County’s contribution to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to acquire, construct, develop and equip parks and park facilities?

Human Services and Community Development Bonds

Shall the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, contract a debt, borrow money and issue bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $85,000,000 to provide funds to finance the cost of human services facilities and community development facilities, including the construction and reconstruction of community centers and shelters and the acquisition of land and equipment or interests therein?

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Image via Wikimedia user Electiontechnology