By Carol Noggle of the Prince William League of Women Voters
May 4 and June 11 Primaries??!!
There are questions, even puzzlement about candidate signs and news of primary elections – a May 4 “firehouse” primary election and a June 11 primary election.
What is happening?
The May 4 “firehouse” primary is arranged by the Prince William Republican Party to choose which Republican candidates will be on the November 5 ballot for these Prince William County races:
The May 4th election will be at seven sites, one in each magisterial district, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those who vote in the Republican election May 4 are expected to support the chosen candidates in the November election.
June 11 Primaries
All registered voters may vote in the June 11 Primary (absentee voting started on April 26).
The June Primary is needed to also choose candidates for the Nov. 5 election because there is more than one candidate per party in these races. Residents can vote at their local precincts.
There are many more races for Democrats on June 11 as that party did not have a May primary. Their primary races will determine their candidates for state and county seats.
However, Republicans in the Brentsville and Gainesville districts can participate in the Republican Primary to choose the 13th Senate District Republican candidates
That Republican race in Prince William County on June 11 ballot will occur only in the 17 precincts that are within the 13th Senate District, all of which are within the Brentsville and Gainesville districts.
Republican primary candidates for this race are Geary Higgins and Ron Meyers, Jr.
Democrat Primaries
And, all of those 17 precincts will also have a second ballot with Democratic Party races.
Voters there will need to decide which ballot to choose – Republican or Democratic as those 17 precincts have a “dual” primary. Virginia voters do not register by party, so they can choose either ballot, but not participate in both.
The June 11 Democratic Party candidates in state elections are:
In Countywide races they are:
The Democratic Party ballots will vary by precinct but all of them – countywide -- will have The Commonwealth’s Attorney and Sheriff candidates.
These are the 17 precincts with a dual primary:
Glenkirk, Gainesville MS, Buckland Mills, Battlefield HS, Bull Run MS for voters in the 13th Senate District, Ben Lomond, Stonewall MS, Heritage Hunt, Tyler ES for voters in the 13th Senate District, Mullen ES, Catharpin, Marsteller MS, Victory ES, Chris Yung ES, Bristow ES, Piney Branch ES, and Evergreen for those in the 13th Senate District.
About the Prince William League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy.
Bristow Beat added candidates names to this release.
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