Schools

Democrats Hope to Retain Control of VA Senate

A Get Out the Vote Rally at George Mason University focused on voter turnout and the importance of retaining control of the state Senate.

"Grab three or four or five of your friends and get out to vote," Senator Mark Warner told a crowd gathered outside the Johnson Center at Monday afternoon.

A virtual who's who of Virginia Democrats gathered to encourage voting in an election expected to have low turnout, with much at stake.

Democrats took control of the Virginia Senate in 2007, for the first time in almost a century.  They hope to retain that control November 8.  If Republicans gain enough seats to win it back, the GOP would have complete dominance in Richmond.

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"The races will be determined by tens of votes, hundreds of votes," said Warner.  "If you will do your part [by voting], you will make a difference."

According to the Virginia State Board of Elections, only 30.2 percent of Virginia voters turned out in 2007 for an off-year election, compared with 74.5 percent for 2008's Presidential race. Many Virginia races are uncontested, and that, too, will contribute to low voter turnout. 

Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I've been involved in a lot of very important elections, but none come close to what's at stake in Tuesday's general election," said Virginia Senator Richard Saslaw, 35th District.

"The state Senate in Democrats' hands is the only balance we have in Richmond," said former Virginia Governor and 2012 U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine.

Congressman Jim Moran reminded the crowd of the importance of each vote, recalling Republican Ken Cuccinelli's 2007 state Senate win by 98 votes.

"I was outspent two-to-one by my opponent, but Democrats voted and I won," Senator Jim Webb said of his 2006 race.

Tom Perriello, former Congressman from Virginia's 5th District, noted he'd won by just 700 votes in 2008.  "When young people vote, Democrats win," he said.

For the first time, George Mason University is it's own precinct.  "You have no excuses," 11th District Congressman Gerry Connolly told the students.  "Repeat after me: University Hall, Room 1202," he said of the precint's voting location.

"We need to keep a Senate in Virginia that continues to invest in the future," said Senator Warner.  "Where we [Warner and Webb] work it's a tough place because the Republicans want to say "no" to everything," he said.  "The thing we need to do is keep Richmond from becoming a Washington, D.C."


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