September 17, 2021

Neighbors, 

Happy first day of early voting! Today is the first day you can go vote early in-person for the General Election in November.

  • Today is the First Day of Early Voting

  • Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.0%

  • Virginia No Longer Worst State for Workers

  • Legislative Updates

    • Virginia Voting Rights Act Effective 9/1

    • House of Delegates Page Program

  • Community Meetings

    • Springfield to Quantico Enhanced Public Transportation Study 

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, 42nd District 

Today is the First Day of Early Voting

Graphic from Fairfax County Elections

Graphic from Fairfax County Elections

Today is the first day of early voting! You can now vote early in-person at three places in Fairfax County:     

LOCATION

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Pkwy

Conference Rooms 2/3, Fairfax 22035

Mount Vernon Governmental Center

2511 Parkers Ln, Alexandria 22306

North County Governmental Center

1801 Cameron Glen Dr, Reston 20190

The locations will be open at the following times:

Weekdays:

Fairfax County Government Center 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

All other locations 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (September 18th)

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday (October 23rd, and October 30th)

All locations  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday (October 24th)

All locations 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Don’t live in Fairfax County? You can check where you can early vote here: https://iwillvote.com/ 

Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.0%

Governor Ralph Northam announced today that Virginia’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.0% in August. That’s the 15th straight month that the unemployment rate has dropped in the Commonwealth. Virginia’s rate also is lower than the national unemployment rate, which sits at 5.2%.

Virginia No Longer Worst State for Workers

After spending years being ranked Oxfam’s worst state for workers, in 2021, Virginia has jumped from last to number 23. 

Oxfam pointed to new legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor for this improvement, including laws that raises the minimum wage, creates protections for domestic workers, expands protections for pregnant workers, and provides new protections against sexual assault.

Just last month, we were also named CNBC’s best state for business, the first state to earn that title two years in a row. These two rankings show that Virginia can do both: support our businesses and our workers. 

Legislative Updates

2022 House of Delegates Page Program

The House Page Program is back for the 2022 legislative session! The Page Program is a great opportunity for 13 and 14 year olds to see the state government up close and firsthand. Applications are open until November 1, 2021 at 5:00pm. The applications must include:

  • A letter of endorsement from the applicant’s member in the House of Delegates

  • Authorization from the applicant’s school principal, teachers and guidance counselor

  • An essay by the applicant about why they want to serve as a page

If you live in the 42nd District, please reach out to let me know if you apply!

Virginia Voting Rights Act Effective 9/1

During the 2021, the General Assembly passed the Virginia Voting Rights Act. The law took effect September 1. It prohibits any state or local policy restricting any Virginian’s right to vote because of their race, color or membership in a language minority group. It also provides comprehensive protections against voter suppression, discrimination, or intimidation.

The law is based on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, federal legislation that restores the intent of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The federal bill has been stuck in Congress, which prompted the General Assembly to act.

The new law requires localities to get approval from the Office of the Attorney General for voting changes, and it allows individuals or the Attorney General to sue localities that engage in voter suppression. It also incorporates my legislation, House Bill 1210, that passed in 2020 requiring localities to provide voting materials in languages other than English, as needed.

Community Meetings

The Virginia Department of Rail and and Public Transportation is exploring expanded public transportation between the Franconia-Springfield Metro station and Quantico Marine Base, including a stop in the 42nd District in Lorton. DRPT is considering a number of possible expansions, such as additional express bus services, increased VRE commuter rail expansion, Bus Rapid Transit, or an extension of Metrorail.

DRPT will be holding informational meetings with the public on September 21 and 23 from 7-9 PM. If you would like to attend, you must pre-register. To register, and for more information about the possible changes, you can visit DRPT’s website: http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/transit/springfield-to-quantico/.