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Election Includes Arlington’s First-Ever Sunday Voting Contact: Rebecca Theim  702-622-8154 (cell) pr@arldemsold.local Wednesday, October 7, 2021, ARLINGTON, VA.—Early voting in Virginia’s Nov. 2 election—which features 6 contested candidate races and four Arlington bond measures, ranging from governor to capital projects for Arlington Public Schools—is underway and continues through Saturday, Oct. 30. It will include the first-time ever Sunday voting opportunity in Arlington, on Oct. 24. “Democrats regained full control of the commonwealth’s government in 2019 for the first time in decades,” said Arlington County Democratic Committee Chair Jill Caiazzo, “and since then, we’ve passed commonsense gun reforms, abolished the death penalty in Virginia, expanded access to healthcare, implemented criminal justice reform, effectively battled the coronavirus pandemic, and begun rebuilding an economy that works for everyone. Every single race on the ballot is contested on Nov. 2. Please help us show that Arlington Democrats take nothing for granted by getting to the polls and ensuring we continue this progress with a Democratic state government that has the resources to continue this progress.” Voters may confirm that they’re registered to vote at Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal. Those not registered to vote may register until Oct. 12, either online or in-person: If you have a Virginia state driver’s license or ID, you may register online at: Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal. Voter registration forms are available in multiple languages, and residents may download a form at the previous link, fill it out, and mail it in. Residents also may register in person at the Office of Voter Registration, 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Ste 320, in Arlington. Applications are available on site and no ID or proof of address is required. Vote-by-Mail and Early In-Person Options Voters interested in avoiding the crowds on Nov. 2 are encouraged to vote early at locations around the country. Access Early Voting – Arlington County Virginia for early voting locations and times. All voters also have the option to vote by mail. If doing so, they must request a ballot by Oct. 22, 2021 from the Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal. Voting on Election Day, Nov. 2 Voters preferring to cast their ballot on Election Day should make a voting plan in advance. They can double-check their precinct locations at: Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal. If voters need a ride to the polls, the Arlington Democrats can help. Request a ride from the Arlington Democrats Rides to the Polls team. An Arlington Democrats’ sample ballot for the election is available for reference. Review it in advance to ensure you’re prepared to knowledgeably vote a Democratic ticket, however you choose to cast your ballot. Candidates and Ballot Measures All candidate elections are contested. Also on the ballot are four bond issue referenda: Governor. Former Gov. Terry R. McAuliffe is seeking a second term and is in a tough battle with a Trump acolyte. Lieutenant Governor. House of Delegates member Hala S. Ayala is the Democratic nominee. Attorney General. Mark Herring is seeking re-election as the Democratic nominee. House of Delegates. Depending on voters’ legislative districts, their Democratic nominee for the House of Delegates will be: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (District 45); Patrick Hope (District 47); Richard “Rip” Sullivan (District 48); or Alfonso Lopez (District 49). Arlington County Board. Takis Karantonis is seeking re-election to the County Board as the Democratic nominee. Arlington County School Board. Mary Kadera is seeking election to the School Board as the Democratic endorsee. Metro Capital Funding. A $38.7 million bond issue to finance Metro, road and pedestrian capital projects. Arlington County Parks and Recreation Capital Funding. A $6.8 million bond issue to underwrite capital improvements to local parks and recreational facilities. Arlington County Neighborhood Conservation and County Facilities, Infrastructure Capital Funding. A $17 million bond issue to finance capital projects that will improve neighborhood conservation, county facilities, the courthouse, and county infrastructure. Arlington School Capital Funding. A $52.7 million bond issue for capital projects to Arlington Public Schools. Volunteers Needed Help ensure Democratic victories by volunteering to be a poll greeter or by supporting Democratic candidates. ### The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Democrats) is the official county organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Arlington Democrats is open to anyone interested in advancing Democratic candidates, policy priorities and values in Arlington and beyond. Learn more at the Arlington Democrats website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

JOIN OUR MONTHLY MEETING: On Wednesday, October 6th at 7 PM join us for our monthly meeting to learn about ArlDems' upcoming events and initiatives. You have two options to join! You can either join us in person at DR. CHARLES DREW ELEMENTARY (3500 23RD STREET S) or via virtually via the ArlDems YouTube Channel! The meeting materials have been archied as follows: View the Agenda | View the Presentation | View the Video

They join fellow 2021 candidates, Rep. Don Beyer, Senator Barbara Favola, Delegate Ken Plum and more special guests paying tribute to Democratic change makers Saturday, September 25, 2021, ARLINGTON, Va.—The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) will welcome Senator Tim Kaine and former impeachment manager Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-8) as speakers for an event honoring the contributions of Tom and Mary Margaret Whipple. The event, Honoring a Distinguished Democrat, is the second event in the 2021 Gold Card series and will highlight the significant contributions the Whipples have made to the community over more than four decades of civic engagement. “We are excited to recognize the significant contributions of both Tom and Mary Margaret Whipple to the Arlington community and Democratic Party,” said Arlington Dems Chair Jill Caiazzo. She continued: “It is particularly fitting to recognize former Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, the first woman to serve in leadership in the Virginia General Assembly the same year Virginia is poised to elect our first woman Lieutenant Governor, Delegate Hala Ayala.” Mary Margaret Whipple was first appointed to the Arlington County Board in 1976 and later elected to the board in 1982. In 1995, she was elected to the Virginia Senate, becoming the first woman to hold a leadership position in the Virginia General Assembly when she became chair of the Democratic caucus in 1999. Retiring from the Virginia Senate in 2011, Mary Margaret continued her civic engagement as Vice-chair of the Virginia Women’s Monument Commission, serving on the Virginia Board of Health in 2014 to repeal targeted regulations of abortion providers, and currently serves as the regional director for Community and Member Outreach for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. Tom Whipple began his civic engagement with Arlingtonians for a Better County (ABC), where he served as newsletter editor and began analyzing election statistics. In 1996, he began a daily Virginia newsletter, compiling stories from across the Commonwealth. His interest in data-informed election work led Tom to begin the Campaign Support Center in 1997, where he worked with a close set of volunteers to produce the Registered Voter List for the state Democratic Party. In 2011, Tom transferred his Virginia newsletter to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). Currently, Tom is a fellow of the Post-Carbon Institute, writing articles for the Energy Bulletin on climate change, renewable energy, and other topics. Tom and Mary Margaret met in 1958 as students at Rice University and married in 1960 before purchasing their first home in Arlington in 1965. The 2021 election is high-stakes for Virginia, as it will decide control of the Governor’s Mansion and the House of Delegates. Under unified Democratic leadership over the past two years, Virginia has enacted commonsense gun reforms, abolished the death penalty, expanded access to healthcare, safeguarded voting rights, responded to the pandemic crisis, and begun rebuilding an economy that works for everyone. “Everything is on the ballot this year -- from leading Virginia out of a global pandemic to protecting voting rights and reproductive rights in the Commonwealth. Early voting is already underway and all voters are urged to come out in support of the full Democratic ticket,” said Caiazzo. She continued: “Every single race on the Arlington ballot is contested, which means that we need every single Democratic voter in Arlington to show up this year. Democrats can take nothing for granted.” Early voting in the 2021 election began on Friday, September 17 and continues through Saturday, October 30. For the first time, early voting also will take place on one Sunday (October 24). Election Day is Tuesday, November 2. More information about early and Election Day voting is available at arldemsold.local/vote. To volunteer in support of Democratic candidates, please visit arldemsold.local/start-making-difference-now/take-action. The Honoring a Distinguished Democrat Event will take place on Sunday, September 26, from 2-5 p.m., both in person and virtually. For more information and to purchase tickets to this and all of the Arlington Dems fundraising events in support of the 2021 campaign, please visit arldemsold.local/goldcard. Press Contact: Rebecca Theim 702-622-8154 (cell) pr@arldemsold.local The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) is the official county organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Arlington Dems is open to anyone interested in advancing Democratic candidates, policy priorities and values in Arlington and beyond. Learn more at the Arlington Democrats website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Aiming to prove wrong the conventional "wisdom" that says Democrats do NOT turn out in non-presidential elections, ArlDems' Precinct Operations and Voter Support teams have launched another "All Hands on Deck" campaign to recruit volunteers for voter registration, early voting and Election Day poll greeting, and Messenger delivery. Protect our progress! Sign up NOW!

They join fellow 2021 candidates and Rep. Don Beyer for a fun-filled start to the critical 2021 campaign season Sunday, September 5, 2021, ARLINGTON, Va.—The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) will welcome Governor Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring to its annual Labor Day Chili Cookoff on Monday, September 6. With near-perfect weather conditions forecasted, this in-person, outdoor event will mark the official start of the 2021 campaign season. Gov. McAuliffe and AG Herring, both of whom are seeking reelection this year, will be joined by all of the local candidates on Arlington’s 2021 ballot: Virginia Delegates Patrick Hope, Alfonso Lopez, and Rip Sullivan; candidate for delegate and current Alexandria Vice Mayor, Elizabeth Bennett-Parker; County Board Member Takis Karantonis; and School Board candidate Mary Kadera. In addition, the event will feature Arlington’s congressional representative, Congressman Don Beyer, and former candidate for lieutenant governor and current delegate representing Roanoke, Sam Rasoul. The 2021 election is high-stakes for Virginia, as it will decide control of the Governor’s Mansion and the House of Delegates. Under unified Democratic leadership over the past two years, Virginia has enacted commonsense gun reforms, abolished the death penalty, expanded access to healthcare, safeguarded voting rights, responded to the pandemic crisis, and begun rebuilding an economy that works for everyone. “To continue this steady progress, which is unique among the Southern states, all voters are urged to come out in support of the full Democratic ticket -- by joining campaign events and by voting early,” said Arlington Dems Chair Jill Caiazzo. She continued: “Every single race on the Arlington ballot is contested, which means that we need every single Democratic voter in Arlington to show up this year. Democrats can take nothing for granted.” Early voting in the 2021 election begins on Friday, September 17 and continues through Saturday, October 30. For the first time, early voting also will take place on one Sunday (October 24). Election Day is Tuesday, November 2. More information about early and Election Day voting is available at arldemsold.local/vote. To volunteer in support of Democratic candidates, please visit arldemsold.local/take-action. The Chili Cookoff will take place on Monday, September 6, from 2-5 p.m., at the Lyon Park Community Center located at 414 N Fillmore Street in Arlington. In addition to inspiring speakers, it will feature chilis from more than a dozen local contestants and a cereal drive for the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). For more information and to purchase tickets to the Chili Cookoff and all of the Arlington Dems fundraising events in support of the 2021 campaign, please visit arldemsold.local/goldcard.

JOIN OUR MONTHLY MEETING: On Wednesday, September 1 join us for our monthly meeting to learn about ArlDems' upcoming events and initiatives. You have two options to join! You can either join us in person at Innovation Elementary School (2300 Key Blvd) or via virtually via the ArlDems YouTube Channel! View the Agenda | Presentation | Video

Whereas Arlington County has a variety of critical infrastructure needs, which the County and Arlington Public Schools are addressing through their respective three-year Capital Improvement Plans, both of which were adopted earlier this year after extensive consideration; Whereas by meeting its infrastructure needs Arlington County can provide the public facilities and services needed to ensure that the County remains an attractive place to live and conduct business; Whereas the Arlington County Board has approved four bond referenda which are intended to fund components of the multi-year plans and to appear on the ballot in the upcoming Nov. 2, 2021, election; Whereas prevailing market rates combined with the County’s AAA bond ratings enable the County to borrow at low interest rates, and the proposed bonds do not exceed the debt limit threshold followed to protect those excellent bond ratings; Whereas the first bond referendum seeks voters’ approval for issuance of up to $38.7 million in transportation bonds to fund Arlington’s regional obligation for Metro, ongoing paving needs, and bridge maintenance and replacement; Whereas the second bond referendum seeks voters’ approval for issuance of up to $23.01 million in education bonds for renovations and maintenance at eight Arlington public schools and for Phase 2 of the construction of the new Heights Building; Whereas the third bond referendum seeks voters’ approval for issuance of up to $17.04 million in bonds for community infrastructure, including renovations and maintenance at three County buildings, other County capital projects, and neighborhood conservation; Whereas the fourth bond referendum seeks voters’ approval for issuance of up to $6.8 million for parks and recreation bonds for the Bluemont Park Tennis Complex, the Arlington Boathouse, and modernization of local trails; Whereas each of the target projects is meritorious and affordable; therefore be it Resolved, that the Arlington County Democratic Committee hereby recommends that voters cast a "YES" vote on all four referenda approved by the Arlington County Board for the Nov. 2, 2021, ballot. Passed and Approved on the 4th day of August, 2021.

TAKE ACTION. Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting on August 4th at 7 PM! !!! THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT DREW ELEMENTARY (3500 23rd St S) !!! (or watch live via Arlington Dems YouTube) View the Agenda | Presentation | Video

TAKE ACTION. Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting on July 7th at 7 PM in Eastern Time! !!! THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT DREW ELEMENTARY (3500 23rd St S) !!! (or watch via Facebook Live on ArlDems Facebook page) View the Agenda | View the Presentation | View the Video

TAKE ACTION. Join the Arlington Dems for our monthly meeting on June 2nd at 7 PM in Eastern Time! Like previous months, we are asking that all attendees pre-register for the monthly meeting. You must register in advance for our monthly meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. View the Agenda | View the Presentation | View the Video

More than 6,200 Arlingtonians Voted in Committee’s First Contest Conducted Online, Enabling Voter Access During the Coronavirus Pandemic Contact: Summer White 240-723-7349 (cell) communications@arldemsold.local Monday, May 24, 2021, ARLINGTON, Va.—Following a record-breaking caucus which for the first time was conducted online to enable voter access during the coronavirus pandemic, Mary Kadera today emerged as the top vote-getter in the Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) endorsement caucus for an Arlington School Board seat in the Nov. 2 general election. “The Arlington School Board plays a critical role in the stewardship of our schools and, by extension, in shaping our broader community,” Arlington Dems School Board Endorsement Caucus Director Alexandra Zins said. “We congratulate Mary, and thank Miranda Turner for her willingness to step up to serve our community at this challenging time. We also thank outgoing School Board Member Monique O’Grady for her distinguished service.” Mary Kadera The current vice president of the Arlington County Council of PTAs and a mother of two middle school-aged children, Kadera has more than 25 years experience in pre-K through 12 education. She has served in a variety of roles, including as a middle school and high school teacher. Kadera also was the vice president for education at PBS, where she managed PBS’s portfolio of national digital education services and coordinated the educational initiatives of PBS and its local member stations. Currently an education non-profit leader, Kadera also led the McKinley Elementary School PTA for two years (2018-2020), where she stewarded her community through a challenging school move. During the pandemic, she organized volunteers to provide groceries, books and school supplies to families in need across Arlington. “I am honored and humbled by voters’ faith in me to act in the best interest of all APS students, families, and staff. If elected to the School Board in November, I will work hard to rebuild relationships among APS leadership, the School Board, and the community as our schools fully reopen and we support our students’ academic, emotional, and social needs. I will work hard to earn the trust of communities of color as an ally in the fight for equity and justice. And over the next four years, I know we can work together to strengthen our schools so that every child is known, loved, academically challenged, and inspired, and our staff members are respected and supported as dedicated and highly skilled professionals,” Kadera said. Arlington Dems Innovate to Ensure Fair and Accessible Caucus Participation in Face of Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic 6,207 ballots were cast in the 2021 caucus, exceeding the county caucus record of 5,972 votes, set in the 2017 School Board caucus. The latter also featured a County Board nomination contest on the same ballot, which likely drew additional voters. Of the total ballots cast this year, 3,836 votes (or 61.80%) were for Kadera, while Turner received 2,368 votes (or 38.15%). (3 ballots were for no candidate.) For this year’s caucus, Arlington Dems partnered with Democracy Live, the largest provider of mobile and cloud-based voting technologies in the United States, to offer a full week—168 hours—of mobile electronic voting. Voters also were able to cast ballots in-person at one of four locations throughout the County, where Arlington Dems provided laptops, wifi and assistance to facilitate voters’ use of the electronic voting platform. Access to the cutting-edge balloting platform was made possible through a grant awarded to Arlington Democrats by the nonprofit National Cybersecurity Center (NCC). The NCC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to raising cyber awareness, education, and innovation across public and private sectors. Originally envisioned by former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and founded in 2016, the NCC has active initiatives across a wide variety of areas including cyber education, election security, and SMART cities. “Arlington Dems were excited to pilot online balloting and are thrilled that a record number of voters chose to cast ballots using the secure electronic voting platform,” Arlington Dems Chair Jill Caiazzo said. “We are pleased with the performance of the Democracy Live platform and grateful to the NCC for helping us to provide a safe voting option under the continuing pandemic conditions.” In addition to the substantial logistical work involved with organizing a caucus that featured both online and in-person voting options, Arlington Democrats undertook a significant effort to ensure as many voters as possible were aware of the caucus and were able to cast ballots. This effort included outreach to more than 40 news organizations and 70 community organizations across Arlington, organization of two virtual candidate events, distribution of promotional literature to more than 20,000 households, and social media promotion. As in 2020, promotional materials also were translated into Spanish. Arlington Democrats to Voters: Continue Momentum by Voting in June 8 Primary Election—and Beyond Arlington Democrats urge voters to keep up the voting momentum by casting ballots in the upcoming June 8 primary election, which features contests for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, House of Delegates, and Arlington County Board. The winners of these contests will be the Democratic nominees on the November 2 ballot for the general election. Early voting is already underway for the June 8 primary. Voters can cast their ballots at one of three early voting locations in Arlington up until June 5, or they can vote on primary day at their normal polling location. Information about voter registration, early voting, the Democratic primary candidates, and more are available on the Arlington Dems website. “Virginia has the most competitive governor’s race in the country this year, and the Democratic majority in our state legislature also hangs in the balance. Virginia Democrats must rise - once again - to the challenge,” Caiazzo said. “We urge all Democrats to vote in the June 8 primary and to join the fight to elect Democrats up and down the ballot this November.” ### The Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Dems) is the official county organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Arlington Dems is open to anyone interested in advancing Democratic candidates, policy priorities and values in Arlington and beyond. Learn more at the Arlington Democrats website, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Electronic Balloting and In-Person Voting Offered Through May 23 Monday, May 17, 2021, ARLINGTON, Va.—Voting in the Arlington County Democratic Committee (Arlington Democrats) School Board Endorsement Caucus opened at midnight today through a nationally recognized electronic voting platform that will allow Arlingtonians to conveniently, anonymously and securely cast their ballots from mobile devices or computers 24/7 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday (March 23). Access to the cutting-edge balloting platform developed and administered by Democracy Live, the largest provider of mobile and cloud-based voting technologies in the United States, was made possible through a grant awarded to Arlington Democrats by the nonprofit National Cybersecurity Center (NCC). During the continuing uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, registered voters will have access to a full week—168 hours—of mobile electronic caucus voting. A step-by-step video guide for casting caucus electronic ballots is available on the Arlington Democrats YouTube Page. Arlington Democrats will also offer 32 hours of in-person voting on May 18, 19 and 22, at four locations across the county (details below). Volunteers will be present to provide registered voters with devices and WiFi access to cast their ballots. “We’re thrilled to provide a mobile, electronic voting platform for the convenience of our voters during this year’s School Board Caucus,” said Alex Zins, Arlington Democrats School Board Caucus Director. “To make sure we provide accessible voting options, volunteers will assist any voter at our designated in-person voting locations.” The locations, dates, and times for in-person voting are: Two Candidates to Vie for Endorsement for Open School Board Seat The caucus will determine who Arlington Democrats will support between two candidates competing in the Nov. 2 general election for the seat now held by School Board Chair Monique O’Grady: Miranda Turner and Mary Kadera. (O’Grady previously was endorsed by Arlington Democrats, but is not seeking re-election.) Voters may access a video recording of the April 29 debate between Turner and Kadera hosted by Arlington Democrats. Voter Confidentiality Ensured on Electronic Platform Democracy Live’s platform allows Arlington Democrats to ensure the integrity of ballots cast, while also separating voters’ personal information and ballots in a way that maintains the confidentiality of votes. Voters’ personal information will be deleted at the end of the caucus, and Democracy Live is prohibited by the terms of its contract with Arlington Democrats from retaining any caucus information or using it for activities beyond what’s legally and logistically required to conduct the election. Learn more about Democracy Live and the National Cybersecurity Center in the March news release issued by Arlington Democrats announcing the grant and advent of electronic caucus voting. Review the 2021 School Board Caucus Rules for more information, and email sbcaucus@arldemsold.local with further questions. Use the Virginia Department of Elections Look-Up tool to find your current voter registration information and the address you have on file with the commonwealth. Electronic Balloting Follows First-Ever Mail-In Caucus Offering Safe Pandemic Voting After Virginia’s stay-at-home order was issued last spring, Arlington Democrats scrambled to offer an unprecedented mail-in endorsement caucus for two earlier open School Board seats, allowing voters to minimize their exposure to COVID-19. Although there were no other elections on the ballot, voters cast more than 5,700 ballots, which was within 272 votes of the previous county caucus record. Mail and electronic voting isn’t the only effort Arlington Democrats have made to lessen the pandemic’s burden. The organization also supported county efforts to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to residents, including re-deploying Arlington Democrats’ “Rides to the Polls” operation to provide seniors—regardless of party affiliation—assistance in obtaining COVID-19 vaccinations. “Arlington Democrats has worked incredibly hard to vet and offer safe options for voting under pandemic conditions,” said Arlington Democrats Chair Jill Caiazzo. “This step into electronic voting means that we continue to lead our community, now by offering even more Arlingtonians easy, secure access to one of the most important rights we enjoy as Americans.”