The final vote certification for Essex County has not been released as of Saturday morning, 9 November. However, there is no doubt as to who were the successful candidates in all of the local contests.
Unopposed Offices:
- Penny Davis won the interim election as County Treasurer (30.03% of the eligible vote).
- Keren Ellis won the North District School Board Seat (31.68% of the eligible vote).
- Denise Hammond won the Greater Tappahannock School Board Seat (35.92% of the eligible vote).
Competitive Offices:
- The open At Large School Board Seat was won by Larry Lenz with 59.76% of the actual vote (only 38.18% of the eligible vote).
- Current Board of Supervisors Chairman Stanley Langford won the Greater Tappahannock Board of Supervisors Seat with 65.55% of the actual vote (only 26.01% of the eligible vote).
- The open Northern District Board of Supervisors Seat was won by Sidney Johnson with 70.64% of the actual vote (only 26.66% of the eligible vote.
Observations:
1. Qualified candidates won every seat. Of note, every successful candidate had provided a thoughtful and comprehensive response to the EssexSunshine.Org Candidate Questionnaire, with one exception. In the North District, neither Mr. Johnson nor his opponent responded to the questionnaire.
2. Voter turnout was very disappointing. Only 42% of the eligible Essex County voters cast ballots and many only voted for some of the offices. The state wide offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General and the 98thDistrict Delegate's seat were on the ballot, but even those important positions did not stimulate voter turnout.
3. The next General Election will be in November of 2014. On our ballot will be the seat of a US Senator, the seat of the US Representative for the 1stCongressional District, and the Essex County Constitutional Officers (excluding the Clerk of the Court). Will more than 50% of eligible Essex County voters actually turn out to vote?
4. The Local Candidate Questionnaire, based upon a number of comments, seems to have been well received. ESO is planning to conduct a 2014 Local Questionnaire and, if several offices are contested, will plan to schedule a Candidate's Forum.
5. Candidate transparency and an opportunity for the public to listen to and observe a public discussion of key local issues are believed to contribute to more open and accountable elected officials.
In closing – Our RIGHT TO VOTE in free elections sets our nation apart from much of the world. Yet based upon the low turnout in this past local election many citizens do not seem to honor, or even care very much about that right. Please, if you are eligible but not registered to vote, do so NOW! If you are registered to vote, PLEASE commit to voting in the November 2014 election. You will be able to vote by absentee ballot up to 45 days before the election. You will be able to vote at you District Election Site on the day of the election between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM. WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO IS FAIL TO VOTE. Your voice should be heard. You vote will count – but only if you mark a ballot.
John Clickener - Publisher ESO
