Voters begin to read through the campaign literature and unofficial sample ballots outside the polling location on Nov. 5, Election Day 2024.
Fairfax County's robust early voting turnout, which began Sept. 20 and ended Nov. 2, left some precincts checking in a limited number of voters during the first hour of voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Election Day 2024.
The polls opened at 6 a.m., and by 7:05 a.m., only 106 voters had cast their ballots at Dranesville District 320 Herndon #2 polling place at Herndon Community Center according to a tally of check-ins provided by Kristen O'Brien, chief election officer, Fairfax County Office of Elections.
According to Fairfax County Votes, 32 percent of registered Fairfax County voters cast their ballots early in-person and 11 percent absentee by mail before Election Day.
Mary Drum, an election day volunteer, looked around at the empty gym with no voters. Knowing they would come and she would be needed, Drum emphasized civic duty and being an election-day volunteer.
Drum said her service began at 5 a.m., one hour before the polls opened, to set up tables and voting booths and be ready. She would be there the entire day until 9 or 10 p.m., well after the polls closed. The polls would close at 7 p.m., but all voters in line then can vote.
"Everybody should work an election at least once and understand how this wonderful process works. It is fun to do with your spouse, and it is fun to do with all of these people. I have worked with some of them more than once. So they're like family," Drum said.
Slowly, voters began to appear. One of them, Tracy Glazier of the Town of Herndon, agreed to share why she was casting a ballot. "Voting for the presidential election is extremely important for the future of our country and then our local town council. I care very much about our local issues, so I'm here for that, too," Glazier said.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, the last day of early voting, long lines snaked down the sidewalk outside the Herndon Fortnightly Library, one of the early voting sites, shortly before it closed at 5 p.m.
Crammed tight, many people did not want to share why they were voting, but one couple agreed. Kevin said so many issues mattered to him. "Immigration, women's rights, where our money is going, and education."
Cece’s primary concern and reason for voting were her rights. "They are number one for me," she said.