The Lorton Perspective: Will You Vote In The Aug. 23rd Local Primary Elections?
Know who's running?
Photos
Patch hit the streets of Lorton on Wednesday with one thing in mind—find someone who plans on voting in the upcoming primaries on August 23. The most popular response: "I didn't know there was a primary coming up."
Are Lorton residents generally apathetic toward local elections or are we simply too busy to keep up with the politicians running for everything from sheriff to Virginia State Senate? What can local politicians can do to help get their message out to the public?
Theresa Rowan: "I'm not sure if I'm voting or not. I wasn’t really aware that there were primaries coming up, to be honest. As for what they can do so that we actually know about them? Obviously do more, or I’ve just not been paying attention. Maybe more social networking online would help."
Connie Dicken: "I will be voting now that I’m aware that there is a primary. I don’t know who the candidates are though. I obviously haven’t paid any attention to it. They need to get more involved in social media. Find a way to connect to the people and using the news and the resources that other people these days are using."
Lindsay Chapman: "No, I don’t plan on voting. I haven’t been following it so I don’t know who is running or even what’s going on. But come election day in November, I try to at least vote, whether or not I have a strong opinion on a candidate. Politicians only catch my attention if the platform they are running on is relevant to me. Then I’m going to be interested in it. But if not, I’m really not going to care."
Kebba Gaye: "No, I’m not voting. I don’t follow local elections. It just hasn’t caught my interest. I follow more national elections, like for the President. But if they come out and talk about taxes more, education, jobs—those are the things I could see myself paying attention to because I’m a small business owner."
Micki Kim: "I’m not a citizen yet, so I can’t vote. But when I can, I'd like to see them getting out into the community more at places like this. Meeting people that live here. Social networking is another way to go. It worked for Obama, right?"
Sally Spangler
1:07 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
I think I know my record for voting. So why ask.
Carole Sarkuti
7:38 am on Saturday, August 20, 2011
Sally I think you miss the point. Don't you think it's a sad state of affairs that these people don't know there is a primary in a few days. I bet they know who will be on " Dancing with the Stars" next season. As a naturalized citizen I am apalled that Americans don't have a clue what they are losing. No wonder that Oabam got elected with such ignorance out there. In Fairfax Co. 54 % of our taxes go to a school board that is not subject to any audit or that tells anyone what they do with the money. This is disgraceful and only by votng for the "right" candidates will see this change. Ignorance is NOT bliss
sarah
9:52 pm on Sunday, August 21, 2011
I agree with you, in part.
But, what is more 'disgraceful' and 'ignorant' is your comment re how our President
was elected?!? Surely you jest!! May I also point out that you, Ms Sarkuti (naturalized citizen) do not know how to spell his name correctly!
I live in Lorton Station, am very involved in local politics as well as an avid volunteer for Fairfax County and I plan to vote on Tuesday, August 23. Oh, by the way, I am one of those 'ignorant' people that voted for President Barack H. Obama (correct spelling of his name).