Suleman has it right. The election *is* completely under the radar. I consider myself a very tuned-in voter... but I didn't realize that the primary was today until I read this article. I'll be voting on my way home.

I was the first voter in my precinct at 6:30 this morning. The precinct workers didn't even realize that the doors into the school were still locked.

I was so turned off by the negative mailings from Byrne and Connolly that I voted for Denneny. I hope my wife and kids do likewise.

I heard it on the radio this morning when I recahed the metro station. So much for the media that devoted huge energy for the Obama visit a few days back.

Seriously, I knew about the 10th and 11th district primaries but this morning on the news was the first I'd heard about the 8th district. Which is a problem because I have plans tonight so I won't make it home before the polls close.

Polls had been open for thirty minutes and I was the first to vote this morning at my Arlington precinct. It's really sad because these seats for which we're voting are extremely important and have more impact on our daily lives than a national primary (not that np's aren't important).

I went to my voting place (8th precinct) Arlington, VA at 9:45 this morning. I was the only voter present at that time and the parking lot was empty. There were adequate volunteers and machines were ready to go. Where were all the concerned citizen voters? It was weird to me, a long time voter, that there were no crowds dying to vote for "change".

I vote in the City of Manassas and at 7:10am my spouse and I were number 8 & 9 at our precinct.

How many times do we have to go to the polls? Seems that in Arlington we have elections every 2 weeks. Between the Democratic presidential primary in February, the Republican presidential primary, the school board caucuses, the congressional primary and the general election in November, we will have gone to the polls 5 times this year. That's just plainly ridiculous, not to mention a wasteful use of taxpayers' money.

What is there to excite the voter? The Republicans are all no-names. Connolly talks anti-war but works for a defense contractor. Byrne is a venomous personality. And Moran's constituents have previously shown that there's nothing he can do that would cause them to vote him out.

Were I was the expectation was a two percent turn out. But by 9am the trend was only one percent.

I'm having a tough time with this primary. I really don't like either Connolly or Byrne. Connolly is a hothead who holds a grudge and Byrne is just nasty. Maybe that's the problem - no one cares enough about either one of them to make an effort. However, I dutifully voted at 7:20 this morning in Vienna and I was number 19.

Maybe b/c Virginia has an election every 6 weeks. Can't they consolidate? What a waste of resources having everyone show up over & over, printing everything again, etc.!! The inefficiency of this is ridiculous.

Amazing, I had no idea there was an election today until I saw the poling place identification sign outside the local middle-school yesterday. And I certainly stay tuned-in.

I vote in every election! Had no idea it was today. I drive past 3 schools on my way to work and saw no "vote" signs like usual. I'll be voting today on my way home, I guess. But this is weird...

"The Democrats seeking their party's nomination in Wolf's district are Georgetown University professor Judy M. Feder, who lost overwhelmingly to Wolf in 2006, and retired Air Force Col. Mike R. Turner. Both have criticized Wolf's support of the Iraq war."

Due to their lack of experience. both Dem challengers will need more than the Iraq war to unseat Wolf.

I don't really have a dog in the race, but I'm going to vote for Connolly only because I'm so sick of Byrne, who is nothing more than a professional candidate. Is there an office somewhere in Virgina where she hasn't run...and lost?

Leslie, you lost your congressional seat 14 YEARS AGO...get over it!

I had no idea there was an election until a week ago, when I got one flyer from one candidate. I pay close attention to the mail, would listen to a phone message (once), and try to read the local section of the paper. Yard signs don't even register, though. Why so little publicity outside of TV?

I voted at 9:15 this morning and I was the only one there. I voted because I remembered how Connolly cut post-high school programs for kids with disabilities
.

I have no idea where to vote! Which school do I go to?

Am I the only one who got 2 pieces of "literature" in my mailbox every day for the past month (and a nice gentleman knocking on my door with a quick reminder to vote on the 10th) ? I was getting so sick of the flood in my mailbox I thought of voting against that candidate out of spite.

From Alan:

""The Democrats seeking their party's nomination in Wolf's district are Georgetown University professor Judy M. Feder, who lost overwhelmingly to Wolf in 2006, and retired Air Force Col. Mike R. Turner. Both have criticized Wolf's support of the Iraq war."

Due to their lack of experience. both Dem challengers will need more than the Iraq war to unseat Wolf.""

Mike Turner has experience in credit and mortgage counselling and supports single payer health reform. Feder has not come out for a specific health care plan yet touts herself as the best person for health care reform.

"This election is completely under the radar," said Suleman, the Fairfax registrar.

WTF? She been living in a cave for the last two months? Between the 2 pieces of mail received EVERY SINGLE DAY for the last month from Connolly's and Byrne's camps to the ANNOYING phone calls EVERY SINGLE DAY asking who I'm voting for, you would have to be in a COMA to not know this was going on. If she's so underinformed, then why am I being bombarded with this CRAP? Makes me want to go and UN-register altogether from voting.

I'm a registered voter who is relatively new to the area. I had no idea there was a primary today. I never received any mailers and saw no television ads about it. I'm going to try to vote this afternoon as soon as I figure out the issues and who's running.

Those of you that are getting flooded propably voted in the Webb Miller primary. The campaigns focused on those people and ignored everyone else.

I agree that Connolly and Byrne both have issues. We deserve better.

Vote for Denneny

http://www.dougforcongress.com/

The Democrats have no chance of unseating Frank Wolf. Any money spent on their campaigns is a total waste. Until the Democrats can get organized and find fresh candidates, Frank Wolf will be the congressman out here. He has served the area well and very few voters see a reason for a change. Not even Obama can move this district to turning blue. Apathy favors the incumbent!

I have no idea -- either from this post or from Google -- how late the Virginia polls stay open.

A sad state.
My reasons for not voting today:
1. Who cares: In November, a Democrat will win the 8th District. (who cares if it's Moran or Famiglietti)
2. I have "other things" to do.

COME ON.
PARTICIPATE people.
Figure out where you can vote (not that hard: https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicPollingPlace.aspx )

and GO VOTE.

If you're not OUTRAGED, you're not paying attention.

I received SO MANY phone calls and reminders, I too was tempted to say forget it. (But I won't>)

NO SIGNS near the school OR BLOCKING MY VIEW AS THEY USUALLY DO ON BRADDOCK ROAD ---which is odd and with school in session made me wonder if I needed to go elsewhere.

Leslie B - was a complete turn off with her sour grapes attitude.

http://www.newvotersproject.org/polling-place-hours

Virginia 6 am - 7 pm

I voted for Connolly.

The lesser of two evils, at least he has been a good Supervisor and he did not lose to Davis in 1994.

Byrne lost her opportunity for a second chance when she blew the 2005 Lt. Gov election.

Denneny has a good profile, but seems an opportunist to try and gain an advantage into the House. Have no idea if he can help bring $$ into the district to help our roads, schools, etc.

Connolly seems best likely to help the district despite his personal abrasiveness.

My main reason for wanting to be sure to cast my vote this morning was to be sure to try to get rid of Jim Moran in Congress. I hate his stand on illegal immigration. Why do the idiots in Virginia keep voting this guy back in year after year? We need to get rid of all the encumbents and get some new people in there that hopefully will do a better job than what we keep putting up with from the ones up on the Hill supposedly representing us -- their constituents.

I have to say, I'm REALLY involved, volunteering at the polls this afternoon, etc. and I am SO tired of the Connolly/Byrne sharp elbowed hate fest that Doud Denneny is getting my vote. He's a solid guy with good ideas and experience. Give him a chance!

All the primaries need to be held on the same day. Either make the local candidates get picked early, or have your presidential primary late.

Would be interesting to know if anyone from any of the campaigns will read the comments from "Joe and Mary Average Voter" posted here on this blog to get a real sense of what we run-of-the-mill, middle-class average folks feel and think about this particular election. I too was bombarded with flyer after flyer, phone call after phone call. I did vote in the Webb/Miller primary a few years back but honestly I'm sick of the intrusion into my home life. I have an unlisted number but it hasn't stopped the phone calls. The propoganda flyers from Connolly and Byrne went right into the recylcing bin on my way from the mailbox through the garage every day.

I am trying to choose between Connolly and Denneny. My main concern is having the Democrats win back the seat in November. I don't see much difference between candidates. However, I did like Denneny's answers on WAMU and the Post profile.

I can't help thinking that Connolly would run a better funded, more professional campaign. Denneny says he isn't a career politician, but he has been involved in Congressional and local politics. I still don't know how he would do on a bigger stage than simply being the number 3 candidate we hardly hear from. When I've heard him, I am pretty impressed, but these were only snippets. Connolly has run our huge jurisdiction well.

The physical therapist (Lori someone) is totally out of her element, to hear or read about her. On the radio she said that her qualification for office was that she had a strong mother. Nice, but not enough.

Unlike many of those who have posted here, we haven't received any mailings from anyone! The first I heard of this primary was from an automated phone call from Tim Kane exhorting us to vote.
When I read this article, I called the registrar's office and asked if I was missing the opportunity to vote (yes).
I voted at 1:10 this afternoon at Bennett Elementary School and was the 42nd voter so far today.
It feels as though my vote will count.

I just learned about the election a week ago, but I guess that makes me one of the early ones! (I'd been supporting candidates, and then I thought I'd better check to see if my Congressman is opposed this round, so I looked it up.)

I get my news from the Post online. Maybe they could showcase upcoming elections on their front web page a few weeks in advance?

My (Republican) candidate in the 11th is running unopposed, and since, as the other posters noted, this is the only issue on the ballot, my sense of civic duty is not strong enough to get me to the polls to vote for an unopposed candidate.

Wow, I must live in an alternate universe. I've been getting messages left on my voicemail from Frank Wolf and whoever is going to lose to Frank Wolf for the last week reminding me to vote today. All it takes is one letter to your congressman, and you will know EXACTLY when the next election will be. :-)

I live in the 11th district, and knew there was a primary. I will probably vote, but I feel uninspired like many of you. Byrne is awful, sent out nasty mailings and has a record of not holding on her to seat. Connelly is uninspiring and oozes typical politicians. Lori Alexander is straight up crazy (including screaming and yelling that people assaulted her at a local democratic event that I witnessed with my own eyes) and Denenny, whom I will probably vote for by default, will most certainly lose to the republicans if he doesn't figure out how to speak in public!

Ah. Not knowing how to speak in public is certainly a problem, especially for someone is isn't a "career politician," but aspires to be.

I was already convinced I would not vote for straight up crazy.

It also doesn't help the voter apathy felt here that 1) it's 100+ degrees outside and stopping to vote is just one more trip out of the car this evening; 2) the price of gas is ridiculously out of hand and I'm trying very hard to cut out unnecessary side trips; and 3) I have a graduation ceremony in two days and still have an entire house to get ready.

I am sorry I missed the rantings of Lori Alexander as mentioned by several folks above. Would have made for a good chuckle had I witnessed any of that nonsense myself first hand.

Oakton voter said:

I voted for Connolly.

The lesser of two evils, at least he has been a good Supervisor
-------------------------
He absolutely HAS NOT been a good supervisor! For those who do not know, his latest shenanigans involved REJECTING the balanced budget that the County Executive proposed AND LED the charge to add to the budget requiring the county to raise personal property taxes! That is a patently Stupid and irresponsible act by a renegade politician. He's also stated that Fairfax County would not UNROLL the welcome mat to ILLEGAL immigrants. Perhaps he should check with his constituents for once.

The only positive that could come out of him winning the Congressional election is that he would be off the Board of Supervisors!

VOTE AGAINST CONNELLY ... preferably for Doug Denneny.

The primary was poorly publicized. Also why not have the primary at the same time as the presidential primary?

I worked the Cameron Glen precinct in Reston from 6am - 8am, and I saw 7 people who voted. 7 !!! The primary was not adequately advertised by either the candidates or the counties.

Mike Turner is a bang-up candidate by the way - if you have a chance to vote for him, consider it.

Um, seriously? It's too hot to vote? Receiving a piece of mail (that you can just pretty much throw away with little effort) is an intrusion into your private home? Give me a break people! If you hate democracy, I can think of a couple of places you can move where you will never be bothered by a campaign again, BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE. So get over it.

Connolly is an illegal apologist coddler, and a war profiteer and like many have said Byrne is all straight up crazy. Vote for Doug.

Someone took their bitter pill today, didn't they "move to saudi arabia?"

Kahala:

My sentiments exactly.

I was in line at 6:00am to cast my vote for Famiglietti.

Mr. Moran has been around too long.

Connolly is a waste of space. He happened to be in position during the best economic times in history which made him look good but he was completely unprepared for a downturn and was $125M overbudget this year. That's not management.

Byrne is a liberal blowhard.

Can we get some real leaders and not just reshuffle the same old shoes into new seats? Wake up Northern Virginia.

Its nice to see the activism on the boards about our VA elections, but suffice to say anyone we get will just be as corrupt as the last.

Personally I voted along the Illegal Immigrant line, and upon doing some research it seems like most of the new politicians within the last 10 years are all PRO Illegal... I wonder who will win with groups like LaRaza funding their campaigns and getting their anchor babies to vote for the most pliable candidate?!?

#1 Learn Spanish

#2 Learn the art of paying higher and higher taxes to support those less fortunate than you... Even if they are here illegally.

#3 Learn to never question your leadership... Especially when they push through no-bid contracts and run ram shod over local communities wishes.

#4 Learn that those that fail to take responsibility for themselves and their actions will be rewarded for doing so regardless of circumstances.

#5 Learn what it is like to live with Change you believed in and voted for... But wasn't necessarily for the best.

Has everyone learned something today? I bet not since you all are the ones posting the same things... But as soon as you begin harping your opinions to your buddies and family like other "activists" do, you will see how powerful your message can become!

Ahhh DEMs, so green, so PC. Baloney.

Connolly & Byrne
I've had at least a dozen phone calls (including my cell) all but 1 were pre-recorded endorsements that I hung up on during the opening sentence. Furthermore I have received a nice slick heavy bond flier in the mail from each of the 2 candidates each day the last 2 weeks. Both sides heavy on propaganda and light on detail. None were persuasive.

Byrne has lost more times then I can count, why would anyone vote for her?

Connolly has squandered Fairfax County revenue, having ridden the greatest revenue increase in state history and spent every penny of it. He had to raise property tax rates as house values fall. No one mentions that the budget is significantly higher then it was 5 years ago. Oops! I don't call that a "visionary leader" (his words not mine).

I'll stay home today I think.

Will vote for Mr. Wolf on my way home this evening in Loudoun County. I didn't know there was a primary until late this morning :-P Further proof the internet is better than the local papers!

Wait you are saying there are things to vote for in Arlington?
I knew there were things going on today but everything I read was about Fairfax and so I thought only if you were in Fairfax did it apply...

You know between all of us posting on here there are some really solid people

So my idea for the fall for Congress in the 11th district is to write in

Virginia Politics Commenter

It also doesn't help the voter apathy felt here that 1) it's 100+ degrees outside and stopping to vote is just one more trip out of the car this evening; 2) the price of gas is ridiculously out of hand and I'm trying very hard to cut out unnecessary side trips; and 3) I have a graduation ceremony in two days and still have an entire house to get ready.

Posted by: Fairfax Station | June 10, 2008 2:01 PM

The boys of Iwo Jima, Omaha Beach, Bastogne, and Guadalcanal appreciate your sacrifices....

In the 11th District race, I tried to get a fix on whether one candidate was better than the next by watching endorsements. I think I pretty much figured out who would be the best, but I also think it was a pretty confusing campaign, all things considered. I'll say one thing: I think we're lucky to have several good candidates, so I'm not going to despair if the one I voted for doesn't make it. There's nothing like a really stink-o President to make one glad there are simply okay candidates to choose from.

Here's what I think:

Anyone who votes for Connolly has clearly never met him in person or had an issue before the County Board. He is a self-serving, nasty, bullying, career politician. Enough of him, please.

If you don't know who to vote for or are just used to voting Connolly on everything, take a cue from those of us who are familiar with him: he needs to GO!

He's a very bad man.

Ok candidates, if you want to reach us young people you have to do something other than call phones... we don't have land lines. Oh and if we don't have cars either then all those signs in the middle of streets don't help much. I can't recall seeing a single campaign sign in my walks.

The boys of Iwo Jima, Omaha Beach, Bastogne, and Guadalcanal appreciate your sacrifices....

Posted by: Annandale Annie | June 10, 2008 4:59 PM

I love you, Annandale Annie!

I found out about the primary the day before the election, no wonder we elect the people we do and no wonder the incumbrants stay in power. if virginia goes all dem, it deserves the tax hikes that will come next year, I'm pretty sure most of northern virginia is considered higher income and with higher income will come higher taxes along with the price hikes like gas.

I voted this morning in the 11th District. No wait at the polling site.

I wonder if the constant barrage of recorded phone calls, mailers and door knockers has actually turned some people off to the election? It's gotten really negative and nasty, especially for a primary.

The person who said we need new blood in Congress hit the nail right on the head.

In 56 years there have only been THREE(3) people who have held the House seat for the 10th District in Virginia now held by Frank Wolf.

The voting public has a big case of apathy that rivals that of the local party machines.

Hello Amy,

You look young so I guess it's your generation but first person 'I' is always capitalized. Quote " i don't know if liberal is the right word - a more diverse population, and i think government" unquote.

Who cares?

Why waste any time voting? It's not worth the gas either.

I am glad everyone who voted had a chance to comment on this thread. I voted for Mark Ellmore because Amit Singh is for the H-1B visa.

The polls had been opened 90 minutes here in bucolic Fairfax City, when I was number 13 to vote.

This is the first chance we Democrats have had in ages to actually take back this seat, and most of my fellow Dems are sitting home. I'm hoping a LOT of them turn up later: with voting estimated to be less than 5 percent of eligible voters, every vote counts.

At 6:30 this morning, I was the only voter in my precinct and I was number 5. The school I work in has two precincts and I think the few people that showed were 70 plus years in age. Come on people, this is ridiculous.

It makes it hard to vote when you get home from work when they close the polls so bloody early. How lazy are these people?

Mark Ellmore is a sick freak and Old Atlantic is a dirty racist. Thank you for showing your colors as you hide behind your cloak of anonymity.

bite me annandale annie and your self-righteous attitude

I'm actually a little shocked with how many people claim to not know there was a primary today. We have received at least 2 or 3 campaign mailings a week from each campaign for months, been inundated with calls from the campaigns (to the point that I actually contacted one of them to ask them to stop calling - they called 10 times in a 3 day span), and numerous door-to-door campaigns. It's hard to believe that my street was the only one targeted.

I was aware but have not received a single call, visit, or mailing. I've seen very few signs too. I know Ellmore put his up in November 2006. What a freak.

I voted in Arlington, Lyon Village, at 4:30 PM. I was #49 after 10 and a half hours, both parties.

That is dismal.

They didnt even let people know there was a vote! I vote in EVERY election and this was the first election since i turned 18 that i DIDNT vote in. I found out about this THIS morning!!!!!!!!!!!!

nice Arlington. NICE GOING.

I think they should concentrate the voting more. Why have seperate primaries? Why are they not all held on the same day? This will get a much larger percentage of people out to vote. I think a big overhaul of the whole voting system is due. The primaries are dragging on way too long.

How can turnout really be worse than expected when it's early June, but 100°F? Plus, severe weather later in parts of the district piled on top of that.

Who do we call in the Department of Expectations to find out how the standards are set?

I always vote, even by absentee ballot, but I didn't know the election was Tuesday until I read this article on Wednesday.

During most elections I get campaign mail and phone calls twice a day.

The more I think about the lack of turnout and lack of road signs and calls in certain areas and most dramatically the lack of NEWS coverage, more I think it was on purpose so that the media and special interest who pay into the coffers (since we as constituents don't, since we feel they work for us once in office) can control the local assembly as much as possible... Just like they do for the national elections...

I agree with the comment on the Indian guy who keeps running. I give him credit for not giving up, but I fear the day that he runs unopposed...

But I suppose there is no difference between his HB-1 push and Kaine's sanctuary cities and refusal to enforce the laws of our state. I can only imagine what the next guy will waste our money on...

disgusted, was there an evil plot to keep racists from voting? ha!

Left wing wacko feminist fat pig loud mouth Byrne lost. That's all that matters.

Byrne's out, Hillary's out, put the wacko feminist fat pigs back in the kitchen where they aren't so dangerous!