NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 30, 2020
Neighbors,
We are only a few days away from Election Day, and I want to provide some additional information as you prepare to cast your vote, if you have not done so already.
As always, please let me know if I can be of assistance by calling my office at 804-698-1042 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.
Best, Kathy
Delegate, 42nd District
ELECTIONS 2020
Early In-Person Voting Deadline is 10/31 at 5pm
Saturday, October 31 at 5pm is the deadline to vote early in-person in Fairfax County. You can cast your ballot at any of the 14 locations across Fairfax County. You can find a full list of the locations and hours here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting
Using Drop-Boxes to Submit Absentee Ballots
If you received an absentee ballot and have not already mailed it, then Fairfax County encourages you to drop it off at a ballot drop box to avoid any potential delays. Drop boxes are located at all satellite locations during voting hours, the Fairfax County Government Center, and at polling locations on Elections Day, November 3.
If you have already mailed your ballot to the County, you can track your ballot through Ballot Scout: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee-ballot-tracking-through-ballot-scout
Constitutional Amendment 1
I continue to hear from constituents asking for my opinion on Constitutional Amendment 1. I have voted NO on Amendment 1 and encourage you to vote NO as well.
I strongly believe elected officials, myself included, should not have any roles in drawing legislative maps and that any constitutional amendments should explicitly protect against racial and political gerrymandering.
Amendment 1 creates a redistricting commission that is neither nonpartisan nor independent. Rather, it enshrines partisanship in our redistricting process: legislators, selected by party leaders, serve on the commission; party leaders nominate citizen members; and the General Assembly votes on the maps.
The amendment does not explicitly prohibit political or racial gerrymandering. It also does not require the redistricting commission to reflect Virginia’s geography or diversity.
Amending the Virginia Constitution is a complex process, as it should be. For example, it takes 2+ years. If we are going to change it, we need to have the best amendment possible.
If we don’t pass Amendment 1, would it be business as usual? NO. Thankfully, the Virginia General Assembly has already taken action by passing House Bill 1255 and Senate Bill 717 earlier this year. This law prohibits political and racial gerrymandering; protects communities of interest and language minorities; and makes the 2021 redistricting process more transparent. This is very good progress that we have achieved.
If we don’t pass Amendment 1, what can we do to ensure an independent commission is established in time for 2021 redistricting? The General Assembly has an opportunity to pass legislation to establish a truly nonpartisan and independent commission when we return to session in a few weeks. Further, Governor Northam, who supports an independent redistricting commission, also has opportunities to push for one as part of the process.
My full statement: https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/newsroom/2020/9/18/delegate-kathy-trans-statement-on-constitutional-amendment-1
Congressman Bobby Scott, Congressman Don McEachin oppose Amendment 1 as well as other community leaders and organizations:
Statement by the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP: https://wvva.com/2020/10/01/virginia-naacp-opposes-proposed-constitutional-amendment-1/
OpEd by Jamaa Bickley-King, co-founder, president, and chairman of the board for New Virginia Majority, one of Virignia’s leading voting rights organizations: https://www.virginiamercury.com/2020/09/25/proposed-redistricting-amendment-leaves-some-out/.
Statement by Linda Perriello, former president and board member of One Virginia 2021: https://bluevirginia.us/2020/08/linda-perriello-after-devoting-eight-years-of-my-life-to-ending-partisan-gerrymandering-i-will-sadly-vote-no-on-the-amendment-this-november
Information from Fair Districts Virginia: https://www.fairdistrictsva.com/