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The draft Supreme Court opinion published by Politico on May 2, if adopted by the Court, would not only deny American women the constitutional right to obtain an abortion, it would lay the legal foundation for reversing Supreme Court decisions that have long protected other basic sexual and health rights in the United States. While the draft claims to apply only to abortion, it quotes Justice Scalia in calling for most “important issues in our democracy” to be resolved “by citizens trying to persuade one another and then voting.” Under this reasoning, these rights would no longer enjoy constitutional protections. If a decision along the lines of the leaked draft is adopted by the Court, it would put several fundamental constitutional rights in jeopardy, such as the constitutional right to privacy that has been applied to protect Americans’ ability to obtain and use contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives like Plan B. It would also jeopardize the right of adults to engage in consensual sexual activities and the constitutional right to marry the spouse of one’s choice – rights to enter into interracial and same-sex marriages. The ripple effects of a decision like the leaked draft likely would adversely affect Americans of virtually every sexual orientation. While the leaked opinion is a draft, not a final decision of the Court, it is clear that a  decision reversing or gutting Roe v. Wade is forthcoming. A flood of restrictive state laws limiting abortion is likely to follow. By some estimates, over half of the states either already have abortion prohibitions on the books (laws that preceded Roe v. Wade but have been unenforceable since that decision), or have recently passed or are likely to pass these laws based on the reversal of Roe. Republican-controlled state legislatures are also introducing bills to outlaw IUDs and certain infertility treatments like IVF. This is not an outcome most Americans want. While there are significant regional differences, a recent poll found that nationwide Americans support the right to an abortion as set forth in the Roe and Casey decisions by a 2-to-1 margin. Republican-controlled states are also likely to propose laws restricting other sexual and health rights that we have come to take for granted. Many anti-abortion groups, as well as many elements of the Republican Party, support ending constitutional protections for a wide array of other health and sexual practices. If control of Congress flips this November, as is possible, Congressional Republicans are likely to promote legislation that would abolish rights to a number of sexual and health freedoms nationwide. President Biden would likely veto such legislation, but with Republicans in control of both halves of Congress, some highly restrictive provisions could become law. The coming struggle to preserve the sexual and health choices we now enjoy will be long and it will be fought on many fronts. Sexual and health rights are very much in danger in Virginia as well, despite press reports leaving it off lists of states that may adopt restrictive legislation. Virginia is narrowly divided today, with Republicans having the upper hand. The Virginia House of  Delegates is controlled by Republicans, and Democrats hold only a two-vote edge in the state Senate. The governor is a conservative Republican reportedly interested in running for President who has demonstrated an interest in fomenting partisan rancor. In 2020, Virginia became the first state in the South to roll back abortion restrictions and pass a Reproductive Health Protection Act, becoming a safe-haven state for patients who need abortion care. This law is now in danger of being overturned. In 2021, Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly introduced several bills that would reinstate Virginia’s abortion restrictions and are likely to introduce more in the coming years. Democrats in the state Senate can likely block them in committee for now, but when all of the seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate are up for election in November 2023, sexual and health rights will very much be on the line. It is time for everyone who cares about these freedoms to sign up to help keep our state and federal legislatures in Democratic hands. Start getting active now, and plan to contribute your time generously in both state and federal campaigns over the next two years. The only way to protect our fundamental sexual and health freedoms is to ensure that Democrats hold the majority in the bodies that enact the laws. We need to keep the House, win the Senate, and elect Democrats down ballot who will protect our rights. You can start by joining two programs organized by Arlington Democrats that in recent years have been effective in electing Democrats up and down the ballot. Beyond Arlington works to help Democratic candidates outside Arlington, with an emphasis on canvassing and phone banking. It has been quite effective in over 100 races since its formal inception in late 2016. Beyond Arlington is already hard at work on this fall’s Congressional campaigns, both within Virginia and neighboring states. You can sign up for Beyond Arlington projects here. Blue Families does similar work and is designed to enable parents with young children to fit work on behalf of  progressive candidates into their busy schedules. Blue Families support selected Democratic candidates in Virginia and occasionally North Carolina and Pennsylvania by writing postcards, phone-banking and texting, and occasionally organizing trips to target districts for canvassing. You can review Blue Families projects in need of volunteers here.

Over and over again a mass shooting horrifies the country but the public’s attention lasts for only a few days, then most people turn away. Nothing is done to reform the lax gun laws that allow a disturbed teenager to buy a weapon and kill 21 people in a few minutes. In the words of David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting and gun reform activist, after mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo “help us make this time different.” The scope of gun violence is shocking: More children die by gunfire in a year in the U.S. than on-duty police officers and active military members. Guns are the leading cause of death for American children, surpassing car accidents. In the U.S., 4 people in every 100,000 die by gun violence each year. In no other wealthy country is the number as high as 1 person per 100,000. In Canada, it is less than .5 persons per 100,000. Gun-safety laws save lives: States with weaker gun-safety laws have on average higher rates of firearm murder and suicide than states with stronger gun-safety laws. Mississippi, with the weakest gun-safety laws in the country, is fifth nationwide in gun deaths per capita. California, with the nation’s strongest gun-safety laws, ranks 44th in per capita gun deaths. The gap in the rate of gun deaths between states with weaker laws and states with stronger laws is growing. In countries that have tightened their laws, mass shootings are rare. Australia adopted gun reforms after a mass shooting in 1996, and there has been just one mass shooting in the 26 years since. In Great Britain, which adopted a series of gun-safety reforms between 1987 and 1996, there have been two mass shootings in the past 26 years. The vast majority of Americans want universal background checks (92%), and a large percentage support raising the minimum age for gun purchases to 21 (72%) and banning assault weapons (over 50%). It’s time to end the epidemic of gun violence: Join the March for Our Lives in D.C. on Saturday, June 11. Help demonstrate Americans’ overwhelming support for gun violence prevention. Sign up to march with the Arlington Democrats here, take the Metro to the Archives-Navy Memorial stop and meet other Arlington Democrats a few blocks away near the south steps of the National History Museum between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. We will walk over to the Washington Monument to join the other marchers at 10:00 am. Urge our Senators to continue to support 1.) universal background checks, 2.) an increase in the minimum age for gun purchases to age 21, and 3.) a ban on assault weapons. They must work for the immediate passage of legislation to accomplish these goals. Contact Senator Warner here. Contact Senator Kaine here. Tell them: It is urgent that we enact tighter gun-safety laws. Please work for immediate adoption of universal background checks, an increase in the age for gun purchases to 21 years old, and a ban on assault weapons. I appreciate your past leadership on this issue, but we need more now. Donate to organizations helping the families of the victims of the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings and their local communities.

Join fellow Arlington Democrats and learn more about how you can get involved in the local Democratic Party! We will be meeting in person June 1 2022 at Lubber Run Community Center at 7:00pm (ample free garage parking). This meeting will also be livestreamed to the Arlington Democrats Youtube Channel View the Agenda Arlington Dems In-Person Events Public Health Safety Measures (last updated 20 Mar 2022) Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following public health safety measures apply to all Arlington Dems events held in-person at indoor or outdoor venues: All event volunteers and attendees over 5 years of age must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Volunteers and attendees may be asked to confirm their vaccination status. Six-foot social distancing must be maintained with unvaccinated attendees who are 5 years of age or younger. Social distancing also is recommended for adult attendees whenever possible. Except when eating or drinking, all volunteers and attendees are encouraged to wear masks while indoors. If you are up to date on your covid-19 vaccinations, in general, you do not need to wear a mask outdoors. If you are immunocompromised, please consult with your physician before attending an event. Attendees who are 5-12 years of age or younger and unvaccinated, must wear masks both indoors and outdoors. Small children over the age of 2 must wear masks. Thank you for your adherence to these measures as our community works to counter the surge in COVID-19 cases.

On Saturday, April 30, the Arlington County Democratic Committee presented its 2021-22 Volunteer Awards to eight members who demonstrated outstanding leadership in the last year “As an all-volunteer organization, we rely on hundreds of individuals each year to deliver on our mission of electing Democrats from the school board to the White House,” Arlington Democrats Chair Steve Baker said. “These eight award winners exemplify the incredible spectrum of Arlingtonians who rise to the challenge of protecting and advancing democracy by engaging with local voters, helping them learn about the relevant issues and Democratic candidates, and supporting them to vote. We are proud to recognize these volunteers and are inspired by their commitment and dedication.” Newcomer of the Year Award: Ankit Jain This newcomer to Arlington Dems became very involved with the Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus starting as a volunteer in 2020. He was instrumental in writing the caucus's statement decrying hate crimes against Asian Americans after the horrific events at a salon in Atlanta targeting Asian Americans. In June 2021, Ankit became Co-Chair of the caucus and, additionally, was the point person for redistricting and the changes to admissions policies at Thomas Jefferson High School. Starting in August 2021, he helped schedule, plan, and execute Arlington's first-ever Diwali Festival event, serving as the event's emcee. The festival brought in approximately 150-200 attendees with a wide range of speakers including state delegates, county board members, and members of Congress. In January 2022, Ankit was elected to be the Secretary of the Caucus His hard work has directly contributed to the growth of the AAPI Caucus. Campaigner of The Year Award: Paul Ruiz This Arlington Democrat’s energy is infectious. Paul has tirelessly worked on a number of campaigns including last year’s 2021 Joint Campaign in which Arlington increased voter turnout to the highest rate we have ever seen. In 2020, during one of the strangest campaign seasons ever, Paul led President Joe Biden’s campaign in Arlington mobilizing nearly 1,500 Northern Virginia Democrats to support grassroots phone banks, canvasses, and visibility. He was elected as a Biden delegate to the Democratic National Convention and served as a Whip for Joe Biden in the Virginia Delegation. Allowing no rest, this year, he ran a successful campaign to be elected to the 8th District Committee on top of his Arlington Dems positions as Director of Communications and a Precinct Captain in Park Lane. Herselle Milliken Precinct Captain of The Year Award: Alexandra Ritchie Alexandra has been a Precinct Captain in Central Precinct for seven years. When she began, this precinct was already so high-rise heavy that it was one of the hardest for finding and keeping volunteers and precinct captains. From the beginning, she worked hard to recruit volunteers, including co-precinct captains. Given the transient nature of volunteers who live in these high-rises, Alexandra also worked just as hard if not harder to keep them. Pre-COVID, she set up social get-togethers to build a sense of community and camaraderie and add some fun. During COVID, she did her best to maintain the “we’re all in this together” mentality. In 2017, she became one of two Area Chairs in MetroWest Area while continuing as Precinct Captain in Central Precinct. Together, the two MetroWest Area Chairs were responsible for connecting with precinct captains in six different precincts, many of them high-rise heavy. Alexandra brought experience and dedication to that level of work and helped keep MetroWest in the voter-turnout game. In addition to her work as Precinct Captain and Area Chair, she has volunteered for many other Arlington Dems events and activities. Jean Marshall Crawford Women’s Leadership Award: Carol Burnett Carol does not seek the limelight. She prefers working tirelessly behind the scenes organizing important activities like median-sign placement AND removal; vote-tallying at events such as School Board endorsement caucuses; or helping any of our Democratic nominees whose campaigns need it. She has done many, many Messenger delivery routes in her precinct and beyond as well as other lit-drop routes all over Arlington. Carol is a powerful volunteer for the party who happens to love jobs that most shy away from. Whether it's coordinating the Dollars for Dems mailing or orchestrating the yard sign median dash, she is an expert organizer who is never afraid to roll up her sleeves and get to work supporting a candidate or campaign. Mary Marshall Outstanding Democrat Of The Year Award: Inta Malis It goes without saying that this open-minded and humble person has kept Arlington Dems running in accordance with our highest aspirations and values. In addition to her very active role in our Steering Committee, Inta has served as a teller many times on various party-run elections, including serving as the Head Teller for the 2020 School Board Caucus, which was transformed into a vote-by-mail process on an emergency basis in order to address pandemic conditions. She masterminded a completely virtual vote count that was highly accurate and finished ahead of schedule. Undoubtedly, we would not have had a School Board candidate on the sample ballot that year without Inta’s extraordinary efforts. She currently serves on our ByLaws Committee and is steadfast in working through some complicated issues. Last but certainly not least, she has ably served for many many years as our Treasurer. Inta’s civic contributions go far beyond her work with Arlington Democrats. In the past, she’s been very active in Arlington County Schools including chairing the 2002 Public Schools South Arlington Boundary Process. In 2003, Arlington Schools recognized her dedication with the Arlington Public Schools Honored Citizen Award. In 2010, she chaired the Wakefield High School Public Facilities Commission. She was the President of her Civic Association and the Chair of the Arlington County Planning Commission. Her long years of service have contributed to the redevelopment and beautification of the Columbia Pike Corridor, and since 2014, she has served on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Indisputably, Inta has made Arlington Democrats and Arlington itself better through years of dedicated service. Unsung Hero Award: Jack Kinkaid Jack was the Co-Chair of Outreach at farmers markets from 2016 through 2021, making a huge effort to keep the farmers market operational during the pandemic. He was at the Courthouse farmers market every Saturday from August to Election Day and spent Sundays at the Columbia Pike farmers market. During these strange times, he helped find ways to keep this important work going. In addition to his hard work on outreach at farmers markets, Jack serves as a Precinct Captain and has been a delegate to the Virginia Democratic Convention. He’s helped with our yard signs efforts and has bundled thousands of Messengers. On top of all this, he’s been a circuit rider on Election Day since 2016. But wait, there’s more! He also managed poll greeting for in-person early absentee voting in 2016 and 2017, including six weeks at Courthouse and three weeks at the satellite voting location. He is truly a Jack of All Trades. Young Democrat of the Year Award: Corey Barton Corey worked exceptionally hard last year to build the Arlington Democrats Inclusion and Equity committee, helping shepherd a bylaws amendment to create a permanent chair position and developing an Inclusion and Equity committee plan. Throughout the process, he was always open to listen and learn, showing phenomenal growth as a young leader. During the Presidential election in 2020, he energetically campaigned for Joe Biden. In 2022, he was elected by Arlington Dems to be our parliamentarian. In that role, he has chaired the effort to evaluate and rewrite the bylaws. Erik Gutshall Community Leader Award: Kim Phillip Kim has contributed so much to Arlington Democrats and the community as a whole. A native Arlingtonian with a passion for the arts and media, she was a natural fit to chair the board of Arlington Independent Media. After four years in the role, she left that organization stronger and in a position to continue to grow under the stewardship of the next board. She is also an instrumental member of Arlingtonians for Justice, working with the County to recommend a police oversight board and improve racial justice in the county. She has worked campaigns, served on the Arlington Dems Steering Committee in numerous capacities, and was an 8th District Committee member. Last but not least, she works tirelessly to ensure our elections are well run, accessible, and secure as a member of the Arlington County Electoral Board.

The draft Supreme Court opinion published by Politico on May 2, if adopted by the Court, would not only deny American women the constitutional right to obtain an abortion, it would lay the legal foundation for reversing Supreme Court decisions that have long protected other basic sexual and health rights in the United States. While the draft claims to apply only to abortion, it quotes Justice Scalia in calling for most “important issues in our democracy” to be resolved “by citizens trying to persuade one another and then voting.” Under this reasoning, these rights would no longer enjoy constitutional protections. If a decision along the lines of the leaked draft is adopted by the Court, it would put several fundamental constitutional rights in jeopardy, such as the constitutional right to privacy that has been applied to protect Americans’ ability to obtain and use contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives like Plan B. It would also jeopardize the right of adults to engage in consensual sexual activities and the constitutional right to marry the spouse of one’s choice – rights to enter into interracial and same-sex marriages. The ripple effects of a decision like the leaked draft likely would adversely affect Americans of virtually every sexual orientation. While the leaked opinion is a draft, not a final decision of the Court, it is clear that a decision reversing or gutting Roe v. Wade is forthcoming. A flood of restrictive state laws limiting abortion is likely to follow. By some estimates, over half of the states either already have abortion prohibitions on the books (laws that preceded Roe v. Wade but have been unenforceable since that decision), or have recently passed or are likely to pass these laws based on the reversal of Roe. Republican-controlled state legislatures are also introducing bills to outlaw IUDs and certain infertility treatments like IVF. This is not an outcome most Americans want. While there are significant regional differences, a recent poll found that nationwide Americans support the right to an abortion as set forth in the Roe and Casey decisions by a 2-to-1 margin. Republican-controlled states are also likely to propose laws restricting other sexual and health rights that we have come to take for granted. Many anti-abortion groups, as well as many elements of the Republican Party, support ending constitutional protections for a wide array of other health and sexual practices. If control of Congress flips this November, as is possible, Congressional Republicans are likely to promote legislation that would abolish rights to a number of sexual and health freedoms nationwide. President Biden would likely veto such legislation, but with Republicans in control of both halves of Congress, some highly restrictive provisions could become law. The coming struggle to preserve the sexual and health choices we now enjoy will be long and it will be fought on many fronts. Sexual and health rights are very much in danger in Virginia as well, despite press reports leaving it off lists of states that may adopt restrictive legislation. Virginia is narrowly divided today, with Republicans having the upper hand. The Virginia House of Delegates is controlled by Republicans, and Democrats hold only a two-vote edge in the state Senate. The governor is a conservative Republican reportedly interested in running for President who has demonstrated an interest in fomenting partisan rancor. In 2020, Virginia became the first state in the South to roll back abortion restrictions and pass a Reproductive Health Protection Act, becoming a safe-haven state for patients who need abortion care. This law is now in danger of being overturned. In 2021, Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly introduced several bills that would reinstate Virginia’s abortion restrictions and are likely to introduce more in the coming years. Democrats in the state Senate can likely block them in committee for now, but when all of the seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate are up for election in November 2023, sexual and health rights will very much be on the line. It is time for everyone who cares about these freedoms to sign up to help keep our state and federal legislatures in Democratic hands. Start getting active now, and plan to contribute your time generously in both state and federal campaigns over the next two years. The only way to protect our fundamental sexual and health freedoms is to ensure that Democrats hold the majority in the bodies that enact the laws. We need to keep the House, win the Senate, and elect Democrats down ballot who will protect our rights. You can start by joining two programs organized by Arlington Democrats that in recent years have been effective in electing Democrats up and down the ballot. Beyond Arlington works to help Democratic candidates outside Arlington, with an emphasis on canvassing and phone banking. It has been quite effective in over 100 races since its formal inception in late 2016. Beyond Arlington is already hard at work on this fall’s Congressional campaigns, both within Virginia and neighboring states. You can sign up for Beyond Arlington projects here. Blue Families does similar work and is designed to enable parents with young children to fit work on behalf of progressive candidates into their busy schedules. Blue Families support selected Democratic candidates in Virginia and occasionally North Carolina and Pennsylvania by writing postcards, phone-banking and texting, and occasionally organizing trips to target districts for canvassing. You can review Blue Families projects in need of volunteers here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 8, 2022 CONTACT: Izzie Tavras, pr@arldemsold.local Friday, April 8, 2022 (Arlington, VA)—The Arlington County Democratic Committee (“Arlington Democrats”) approved final rules for the School Board Endorsement Process at the general membership meeting held Wednesday, April 6th at the Lubber Run Community Center. The endorsement process will determine the Democratic endorsee for the Arlington County School Board seat on the November 8, 2022 ballot. The filing period for candidates is now open. The deadline to file is April 27, 2022 at 7:00pm. Candidates are directed to the Arlington Democrats’ website for filing information. If more than one candidate seeks the endorsement, a four-day voting process to determine who will receive the party’s endorsement will be held on: Saturday, June 4 at Lubber Run Community Center from 9:00am to 4:00pm; Sunday, June 5 at Drew Elementary School from 9:00am to 5:00pm; Tuesday, June 7 at Campbell Elementary School from 7:00pm to 9:00pm; and Saturday, June 11 at Washington-Liberty High School from 10:00am to 6:00pm. All registered voters in Arlington County who are Democrats are eligible to vote. Chair Steve Baker said, “We incorporated a lot of community feedback, adding more voting dates with a broad community outreach effort to make the process more inclusive and equitable. We want the best process possible and the County Committee will continue to invite feedback and assess alternatives.” The seat up for election is currently held by Dr. Barbara Kanninen, who has served on the board since 2015. She is currently serving as the board’s chair. In January, Dr. Kanninen announced she will not be seeking re-election. IMPORTANT DATES FOR ARLINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES April 27: Deadline to file as a candidate seeking endorsement from the Arlington County Democratic Committee. June 4, 5, 7, and 11: Arlington Democrats’ School Board Endorsement Process Saturday, June 4 — 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lubber Run Community Center (300 N Park Dr, Arlington, VA 22203) Sunday, June 5 — 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Drew Elementary School (3500 23rd St S, Arlington, VA 22206) Tuesday, June 7 — 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Campbell Elementary School (737 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA 22204) Saturday, June 11 — 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Washington-Liberty High School (1301 N Stafford St, Arlington, VA 22201) November 8: General Election January 1, 2023: The winning candidate’s term commences.

The filing dates for the Democratic School Board endorsement are April 6 - 27, 2022. The filing window will close Wednesday, April 27, at 5:00 p.m. Candidates are directed to download this form to file a Declaration of Candidacy to be the Democratic Endorsee in the Arlington County School Board Election to be held on November 8, 2022. Please direct inquiries to chair@arldemsold.local.

Join fellow Arlington Democrats and learn more about how you can get involved in the local Democratic Party! We will be meeting in person Wednesday, 6 Apr 2022 at Lubber Run Community Center at 7:00pm (ample free garage parking). This meeting will also be livestreamed to the Arlington Democrats Youtube Channel View the Agenda

Governor Youngkin says he wants to give parents a bigger voice in their children’s schooling, but his actions do the opposite. They amplify the voices of a fringe group, potentially drowning out the wishes of the large majority of parents. He has installed a tip line on which parents can anonymously complain about a teacher’s use of any content a parent dislikes. Today most of science, history, and literature are “divisive” for some. Notably, the tip line does not funnel complaints to Virginia’s Department of Education but instead to the Governor’s office, which has no direct responsibility for education and where the comments can more easily be used for political purposes. Youngkin’s insidious tip line is not intended to give a greater voice to the majority of parents but to help him score political points. Youngkin says he wants to improve Virginia’s schools, but the tip line undermines them. It puts new burdens on teachers when they are under heightened pressure because of the pandemic. Virginia faces a shortage of teachers, and the number of teachers thinking of leaving the field is increasing. Encouraging anonymous complaints will make this problem worse. An association of the 133 of school superintendents in Virginia recently told the governor to close down the tip line. The tip line also threatens to intensify the culture wars that are already a destructive force in our politics. The rhetoric around the tip line makes clear that what the governor seeks is complaints from extremists. By encouraging these parents to express their grievances through the tip line rather than through the mechanisms for parental participation within the educational system, the tip line channels the complaints directly to those who will use them for political purposes. Ostensibly intended to reduce divisiveness, the tip line intensifies divisions among us. Youngkin’s tip-line stunt is part of his larger assault on the state’s educational system. While he claims to care about low pay for teachers, he is seeking aggressive tax cuts and the diversion of $150 million in state funds over the next two years to private schools, leaving fewer funds for teacher pay and other public-school needs. His first Executive Order directed the Superintendent of Public Instruction to review educational content state-wide and eliminate all policies that “promote inherently divisive concepts.” This directive has the potential to result in a massive reorientation of the state’s K-12 curriculum. Currently, Virginia’s schools are among the best in the nation, ranking fourth in one recent survey. Youngkin’s proposals put that status in jeopardy. Tell Youngkin to disconnect the tip line at once. Email helpeducation@governor.virginia.gov and say: This tip line undermines Virginia’s excellent teachers and strong school systems. It divides rather than unites us. Close it down NOW.

The filing period for the Democratic endorsement for Arlington County Board Member will begin Monday, March 21 and conclude Thursday, April 7. Candidates can appear in person at the Arlington County Democratic Committee Headquarters (1235 S Clark St #207, Arlington, VA 22202) between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 21 to submit the required documents. Candidates can also mail filing information to the County Democratic Committee Headquarters until the close of the filing period at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, April 7. On that date, an Arlington Democrats representative will be present to receive paperwork from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The County Committee must receive all completed paperwork by the conclusion of the filing period. For any questions on required documentation, please email info@arldemsold.local. Arlington Democrats will select a candidate for the November General Election in an open primary to be held Tuesday, June 21. One at-large member of the five-member Arlington County Board will serve a four-year term. More information about Arlington Democrats can be found at www.arldemsold.local. More information about the Arlington County Board can be found at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/County-Board.

On March 1, Gov. Youngkin issued his first veto, challenging the core values of the independent civilian oversight of alleged police misconduct established by Arlington County last year. His move is consistent with his campaign rhetoric opposing progress on racial equity and even supporting reversal of some of the progress made to date. In a statement accompanying the veto, the Governor relied on a series of false claims. The horrific murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police in May 2020 heightened public understanding of the problem of police brutality in the United States. Communities across the nation undertook extensive reviews of how they could make their own local police operations fairer, less violent, and more transparent. One widely adopted reform was to create some form of independent oversight system to ensure that the police are held accountable for any misconduct. Arlington was one of those communities. Its inquiry took over a year and included consultations with experts as well as extensive public participation. Arlington residents and civil rights groups took part, as did police officers, police command staff, and representatives of the police union. Relying on this work, the County Board created a Community Oversight Board and the position of Independent Policing Auditor. The office of the Auditor is charged with doing the administrative, investigative, and policy work necessary to support the Oversight Board. Without the Auditor’s office, the Oversight Board would lack the personnel to perform its functions effectively. Creation of an office of Independent Policing Auditor, reporting to the Arlington County Board rather than the Arlington County Manager, requires enabling legislation from the state legislature. Arlington Delegate Patrick Hope introduced House Bill 670 for this purpose, and it passed both houses of the General Assembly. That is the legislation that Governor Youngkin vetoed. Youngkin’s accompanying statement falsely claims that under the County’s ordinance the Auditor could be empowered by the County Board to make “binding disciplinary decisions.” This was a topic of debate in the process leading to the creation of the Oversight Board and Auditor’s office, but the County ultimately decided NOT to grant disciplinary powers to the Oversight Board or the Auditor. Despite the Governor’s express claim to the contrary, HB 670 does NOT change that decision, which is formalized in the Arlington County code. Youngkin also claims that the County ordinance would encourage the appointment of an Auditor “without any formal input from a law enforcement officer.” While the Oversight Board, which along with the County Board advises the County Manager about the hiring of the Auditor, may not include any currently serving law enforcement officers, the ordinance expressly requires that the Oversight Board include at least two members who have past experience in law enforcement. This ensures the inclusion of a law-enforcement perspective in the hiring process. Finally, the Governor repeatedly describes the Auditor-appointment process and the oversight process itself as “political,” although the ordinance expressly bars from inclusion on the Oversight Board current or former elected officials or candidates for elected office. Virtually every reason the Governor gave for vetoing the legislation is erroneous. E-mail the Governor at https://www.governor.virginia.gov/communicating-with-the-governors-office. Tell him you strongly oppose his veto and support a truly Independent Policing Auditor in Arlington as a step toward a more accountable, transparent, and fair justice system.

The Blue Victory Dinner is the biggest event of the year for Arlington Democrats! Mark your calendar to join us, hear from inspiring Democratic leaders, connect with old friends, and make new ones. We will also honor our Volunteers of the Year and celebrate our commitment to making Arlington and Virginia a more just and prosperous place for all. Your support of the Blue Victory Dinner will help ensure we have the financial resources to lead Democrats to victory in November. Get your tickets and sponsorships now before prices go up on April 8!