Burke, West Springfield Voter's Guide 2011

The general election for state and local officials is Tuesday, Nov. 8.  Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here’s your complete guide to who’s running to represent Burke, West Springfield and the surrounding areas. For all of our election stories from this year, go to burke.patch.com/topics/participate.

Where and When to Vote

The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 17. If you're already registered at your current address, you do not need to register again. If you’re registering in person, the deadline is by 4:30 p.m. If you’re mailing it, it should be postmarked Oct. 17.

Due to statewide redistricting, some voters may be going to a different polling location than in past years, even if the voter has not moved.

Complete information on absentee voting is available on the Fairfax County government website.

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WHO’S ON THE BALLOT

Burke and West Springfield residents will be selecting a state senator, house delegates, and Fairfax County schools and government officials.

Culipher, Petersen: State Senate – District 34

Incumbent , a Democrat, is facing a challenge from . Petersen (website, Facebook, Twitter) has served in the Virginia State Senate since 2008. Culipher (website, Facebook, Twitter) is a lawyer and law professor.

Saslaw, Sarvis, Pettigrew: State Senate – District 35

, the Democrat incumbent, will be facing for the 35th district seat. Saslaw (website, Facebook) has served in the Virginia State Senate since 1980 (he was in the House of Delegates before that). Sarvis (website, Facebook, Twitter) is a former lawyer and co-founded a technology company focused on mobile applications. Independent Green candidate Katherine Pettigrew (website) will also be on the ballot.

Flanary, Marsden: State Senate – District 37

Incumbent Democrat will face for the 37th district state senate seat. Marsden (website, Facebook, Twitter) had served in the House of Delegates from 2006 - 2009 and was sent to the Senate in a special election in January 2010. Flanary (website, Facebook) is a businessman.

Baker, Barker: State Senate – District 39

Republican is challenging incumbent Democrat George Barker. Barker (website, Facebook) has been a senator since 2008. Baker (website, Facebook, Twitter) is an appellate lawyer specializing in Constitutional issues.

Kolazas, Watts: House of Delegates – District  39

Incumbent Democrat Vivian Watts is facing Green Party candidate Dimitris Kolazas (website). Watts (website) has served as a delegate since 1998.

Filler-Corn, Kane: House of Delegates – District 41

Incumbent Delegate is facing a challenge from Libertarian Michael Kane. Kane (website, Facebook) is the vice president of a small, local construction company. Filler-Corn (website, Facebook) has served in the House of Delegates since 2010 (special election).

Albo, Dobbyn: House of Delegates – District 42

Incumbent Republican is facing a challenge from Democrat . Albo (website, Facebook, Twitter) has served in the House of Delegates since 1994. Dobbyn (website, Facebook, Twitter) works for his family’s small business.

FAIRFAX COUNTY

Local residents are split between two Fairfax County Board of Supervisors districts. You can find out which district you live in on the Fairfax County government website.

Board of Supervisors Chair

Incumbent Democrat (website, Facebook, Twitter) is being challenged by Republican (website, Facebook), Independent (Facebook, YouTube) and Independent Christopher DeCarlo (website, YouTube).

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Braddock District

Republican incumbent John Cook (website) is facing Democrat (website) and Independent candidate for the Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. 

Springfield District

Republican Patrick (“Pat”) Herrity (website) is running unopposed.

Fairfax County Sheriff

Republican is facing current in this election. Cooper (website, Facebook) is a former deputy sheriff lieutenant.  Barry (website) has been Fairfax County Sheriff for 12 years, though there is some controversy over as it relates to his potential re-election.

SCHOOL BOARD

Seven candidates are running for at-large seats on the Fairfax County school board. In addition, voters will choose school board representatives for the local school districts.

At-Large Candidates

Sheree A. Brown-Kaplan (, )
Lin-Dai Y. Kendall ()
Lolita I. Mancheno-Smoak (, )
Ryan L. McElveen (, )
Ilryong Moon (, )
Steven M. F. Stuban (, )
Theodore J. "Ted" Velkoff (, )

Braddock District

is running against .

Mount Vernon

Michelle Nellenbach (website) is running against Dan Storck (website).

Springfield District

(website, Facebook, Twitter) is running against (website, Facebook, Twitter).

COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Raymond Morrogh, a Democrat, is running unopposed. Morrogh (website) has been CA since 2007.

FAIRFAX CO. SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DIRECTOR

Voters may vote for up to three people for the position of . The candidates are:

$252.75 MILLION SCHOOL BOND REFERENDUM 

Included on the Nov. 8 general election ballot is a .  This is the seventh school bond referendum since 1999.  If passed, it would add to the already approved $1.81 billion of the last decade.