FROM: Delegate Kathy Tran
SUBJECT: Newsletter 11/3/22
November 3, 2022
Neighbors,
Election Day is just five days away! Have you made a plan to vote yet? To find an early voting location or for information about your polling place, please see https://iwillvote.com/va.
In this newsletter, I’ve included information about the following:
Community Events
Diwali Celebration
Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project
Judge Vanessa Jordan’s Investiture
Commending Deborah Coblenz
Korean Central Presbyterian Church
Election Day Reminders
Legislative Discussions
National Federation for the Blind's Virginia Affiliate's Conference
World Education Services’ Economic Inclusion Forum
Vote Mama
Community Updates
Bamboo Ordinance
Student Loan Forgiveness
As always, let me know if you have questions or need assistance by calling my office at (804) 698-1042 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.
Best, Kathy
Kathy KL Tran
Delegate
Community Events
Diwali Celebration
My daughter and I enjoyed attending the Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia Caucus for their annual Diwali Celebration. Hope and light will always triumph over darkness — I hope all of my constituents who celebrated the Festival of Lights had a wonderful Diwali!
Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project
I was honored to join the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) for its Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony during Filipino American History Month.
After successfully pushing Congress and the White House to award the Congressional Gold Medal to allied Filipino and Filipino American veterans of World War II, FilVetREP hosts ceremonies to recognize these veterans and their descendents.
At the ceremony, I presented Retired Major General Antonio Taguba, my constituent, with a commendation for his inspiring leadership of lifting up Filipino American World War II Vets and creating educational programs to honor and preserve their legacy.
Judge Vanessa Jordan’s Investiture
It was very meaningful to me to be able to attend my constituent Judge Vanessa Jordan's historic investiture ceremony. Judge Jordan is the first Black woman to serve on the Fairfax County General District Court. Judge Jordan is a mom and a former public defender and guardian ad litem, and I know she will serve the court with a strong commitment to justice.
Commending Deborah Coblenz
Deborah Coblenz, my constituent, has tutored 1,000 B’nai Mitzvah students since Temple B’nai Shalom was founded in 1986, including my son! She has taught with patience, grace, and kindness, and I was so happy to join Deborah, Rabbi David Widzer, and Temple B’nai Shalom congregants to celebrate Deborah’s achievement and present her with a commendation.
Korean Central Presbyterian Church
Thanks to Senior Pastor Eung Yul David Ryoo for inviting me to join him and his congregants for service at Korean Central Presbyterian Church. It was wonderful to visit!
Election Day Reminders
There are many ways in which you can cast your ballot for the November 8 Congressional Midterm elections.
Note, before you cast your ballot in-person, you must either show an approved form of voter ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement at the polls.
If you require assistance in reading or completing forms, election officials offer accessible voting. To learn more about accessible voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections’ website.
Early In Person Voting
You can vote early through Saturday, November 5; you can find a list of early voting sites on the Fairfax County Office of Elections’ website.
Absentee Ballots
Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, November 8 and must arrive at the Office of Elections before noon on Monday, November 14. For more information, including how to drop off your absentee ballot, please see the Fairfax County Office of Elections’ website.
Voting on Election Day
Polls are open 6am to 7pm on Election Day. You can check your polling place on the Virginia Department of Elections’ website.
Same Day Voter Registration
If you have not yet registered to vote, you can still vote. This is because of a change that the Virginia General Assembly authorized in 2020, which implemented same-day voter registration starting with the 2022 election.
At the polls, you can cast a provisional ballot and then the registrar’s office will research your ballot to determine if you are qualified and eligible to vote. If so, your ballot will be counted. You can learn more about same-day voter registration at the Department of Elections’ website.
Legislative Discussions
National Federation for the Blind - Virginia Affiliate Conference
Thank you to the National Federation for the Blind - Virginia Affiliate for inviting me to its annual conference. I shared the progress that Virginia has made in the areas of economic inclusion for individuals with disabilities and highlighted opportunities for us to continue improving.
It has been a pleasure working with the NFB’s Virginia Affiliate on legislation, including ensuring that our schools’ technology is accessible to all kids.
World Education Services Economic Inclusion Forum
I participated on the keynote panel at the World Education Services’ Economic Inclusion Forum with federal, state, and local immigrant integration experts. I shared how Virginia is lifting up immigrants, including my efforts to create an Office of New Americans, reduce teacher licensure barriers, and implement driver privilege cards.
Vote Mama Forum
I joined other state legislators for a conversation hosted by Vote Mama about why accessible, affordable, quality child care is essential to our economic prosperity. I also talked about bills we will see in the upcoming legislative session to support working families.
Community Updates
Bamboo Ordinance
We’ve had several constituents reach out to our office about their neighbor’s bamboo growing into their yard. Fairfax County has released a new ordinance that will fine neighbors whose bamboo grows beyond their yard starting in 2023. You can find more information about this new ordinance on Fairfax County’s website.
Student Loan Forgiveness
The Biden Administration announced student debt cancellation of up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,00 for non-Pell Grant recipients. Applications are due by December 31, 2023. See if you qualify and learn more on the United States Department of Education’s website.