October Newsletter
Dear friend –
Early voting for the November 2024 election is officially underway! I want to make sure you have all the information you need to make your plan and cast your ballot as we look ahead to November 5th. This information is intended for Fairfax County voters, but many of the deadlines will apply statewide. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about voting:
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY, NOV. 2:
VOTE BY MAIL:
Request your mail-in ballot via the Department of Elections Citizen Portal! There are two ways you can return your ballot:
(1) Mail it back to your local Office of Elections (must be postmarked no later than 11/5/24 and received by 11/8/24), or
(2) Drop it off at any one of these locations before 7pm on Election Day:
Fairfax County Government Center, available 24/7;
Fairfax County Office of Elections, during office hours;
Any early voting location, during opening hours; or
On Election Day at any precinct polling location, 6am-7pm.
VOTE EARLY IN PERSON:
Here are the days, times and locations for our Fairfax County early voting locations where voting is currently underway:
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Pkwy, Room 251, Fairfax, VA 22035
Monday - Friday: 8am to 4:30pm (incl. Monday, Oct. 14 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day)
Saturdays (Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 2): 9am to 5pm
Sunday (Oct. 27): 1pm to 5pm
Mt. Vernon Governmental Center
2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, 22306
Monday - Friday: 1pm to 7pm (incl. Monday, Oct. 14 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day)
Saturdays (Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 2): 9am to 5pm
Sunday (Oct. 27): 1pm to 5pm
North County Governmental Center
1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, 20190
Monday - Friday: 1pm to 7pm (incl. Monday, Oct. 14 - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day)
Saturdays (Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 2): 9am to 5pm
Sunday (Oct. 27): 1pm to 5pm
Additional locations will come online later in the month. For the full list of locations and hours, please visit the Fairfax County Early Voting site.
VOTE ON ELECTION DAY - TUESDAY, NOV. 5:
Polls will be open from 6am until 7pm on Tuesday, November 5th! If you are in line when polls close, make sure you stay in line and cast your ballot. Check your polling place and confirm your registration status via the Department of Elections Citizen Portal.
Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy so I hope that you will make your voice heard at the ballot box!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
As things heat up for the 2025 General Assembly Session, I wanted to dedicate this month’s legislative update with a preview of some of the top issues I expect to be in play:
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS: Amending the Constitution of Virginia is a multi-year process. It must be the will of the General Assembly to call a referendum two years in a row, with an intervening legislative election. In other words, a resolution that calls for a referendum must pass in the 2025 session; we will then have legislative elections in November 2025; the exact same resolution must pass again in the 2026 session; and the question posed in the resolution will then appear on the ballot in November 2026. So, with 2025 being a “constitutional amendment year,” here are the three main proposed constitutional amendments that we expect to take up:
Abortion rights: Ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, there have been ballot initiatives across the country to determine the future of reproductive rights. Virginia remains the only state in the South that has not enacted new restrictions on abortion since the fall of Roe – and it is my position that we must do everything in our power to keep abortions safe and legal. I expect to see a proposal in the 2025 General Assembly Session to enshrine reproductive freedom in the state constitution.
Restoration of rights: Virginia is one of only a handful of states where civil rights (including voting rights) are not automatically restored to individuals convicted of a felony upon the completion of their sentence. Today, an individual must apply to the Governor to have their rights restored. Some Governors have made restoration of rights a priority – for example, Governor Terry McAuliffe restored civil rights to over 130,000 individuals, but our current Governor has processed fewer than 10,000 applications. I believe that Virginia ought to fall in line with the 40+ other states where civil rights are automatically restored, without the continued dehumanization of these individuals , especially after their debts to society have been paid.
Marshall Newman repeal: In 2006, a referendum was put before the voters of Virginia defining marriage as “[o]nly a union between one man and one woman.” At the time, the referendum passed and the amendment was ratified. However, in the years since then, the amendment has been ruled unconstitutional by various courts here in Virginia and, furthermore, the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges ruled that all such bans across the United States are unconstitutional. Therefore, it is beyond time that we strike the Marshall-Newman language from our Constitution and affirm the equal right to marry for Virginians.
SKILLED GAMES: Many of you have reached out to my office about the so-called “skilled games,” also referred to as “games of skill” or “gray machines.” These are the gaming devices you might see at a convenience store. In the 2020 General Assembly Session, before the declaration of the public health crisis, the General Assembly banned these machines outright. However, that ban did not stay in place; as the public health crisis began, and as small business owners scrambled to adapt, the General Assembly withdrew the budget language banning the machines and opted to kick the proverbial can down the road. Now, the public health crisis has lifted and the question of how best to handle these machines has come back. I am disappointed but not surprised by reports of certain operators’ attempts to unscrupulously circumvent the current code by recreating their product in a way that violates the spirit of law, if not explicitly the exact letter of the law. I strongly believe in the need to establish a robust regulatory framework so that we can rein in the machines and protect both the small business owners and Virginians who ultimately become the target of predatory attempts to market these machines.
FAIRFAX CASINO: I remain opposed to the proposal to bring a casino to Fairfax County. In every other locality in Virginia that has been granted the authority to conduct a referendum on this topic, the request has come from local government. Our Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has put forward no such request. Our community organizations have been explicitly clear on this topic, and I stand in solidarity with all those who are saying, “NO Fairfax Casino!” And, with that in mind, I hope you will join us for a No Fairfax Casino Community Forum on Sunday, October 27. The event will take place from 3pm-4:30pm at McLean High School.
OUT AND ABOUT
I had the opportunity to join Mayor Sheila Olem and others in welcoming a Korean delegation to the Town of Herndon for a vibrant discussion about how our tourism industry and our business community are able to capitalize off our proximity to Dulles airport.
Bill Ashton has been a part of the Town of Herndon leadership team for 27+ years. I am sad to see him leave the Town but excited for him and his next chapter. I was proud to present him with a House Resolution commending him for his service to our wonderful community.
It is always a pleasure to join SEIU as they work to educate and engage members on what is at stake in the 2024 elections!
The first session of our annual “Build Your Own Bill” workshop was a huge success, with some great ideas being discussed! From affordable housing to the fentanyl crisis and beyond, we had some really great ideas coming through. We are looking forward to part 2!
It was a huge honor to participate in the first ever White House Chuseok Celebration.
I spent time in Richmond for meetings of the Advisory Committee on Sexual & Domestic Violence and a special subcommittee of the Commission on Youth.
I joined the wonderful leadership and volunteers of the Assistance League of Northern Virginia for a special celebration of the League’s 20th year of service to our community. I joined dozens of volunteers as we packed over 1800 “weekend food for kids” packs for low income children across Fairfax County. I was particularly proud to present a commending resolution to the Assistance League of Northern Virginia, congratulating them on their 20 years of service.
I voted! Have you?! I made it out on the first day of early voting. The wonderful staff and volunteers at the Fairfax County Government Center were efficient and professional. They made it easy and secure to cast my ballot. And, I brought a friend!
I spent three days in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the Southern States Energy Board annual meeting. I was appointed to the Board by Speaker Don Scott earlier this year.
Long time Herndon resident Lynne Hunter made history last year when she was elected to be the first female president of the Mid-Atlantic PGA! I was delighted to surprise her with a resolution congratulating her on this remarkable achievement.
HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
🦠 The Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response, under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is providing another round of four COVID-19 tests per household! More information here.
💉 On a related note, it’s time to schedule your flu & COVID-19 boosters! You can find vaccine locations and information about appointments through vaccines.gov. You may also check with your health care provider and local pharmacy.
📖 Have you had an opportunity to review the Town of Herndon Fall Programs & Events? There are some great events coming up later this month, including a Zombie Zumba Party on Friday, October 18, and a Pumpkin Plunge on Saturday, October 19! Details and more in the brochure.
🩵 The wonderful AARP team is organizing a Caregiver Conference and Resource Fair on Saturday, October 19 in Herndon! If you are caring for a family member or a friend, or if you are anticipating the need to step into a caregiving role in the near future, or if you are a professional or volunteer in a long-term care setting, this event is for you. Register for the event here.
🚫 On Sunday, October 27, community members will come together for a No Fairfax Casino Community Forum. The event will take place from 3pm-4:30pm at McLean High School.
♀️ On Tuesday, October 29, I am partnering with the Fairfax County Commission on Women for a special Women’s Roundtable event as we look ahead to the 2025 General Assembly. We look forward to engaging in meaningful dialogue about the issues that women in the northern Virginia region face and work towards solutions to build a region where all women can thrive. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. The event will kick off at 6:30pm at the Fairfax County Government Center. RSVP here.
🏫 Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr Michelle Reid is hosting a series of FCPS Community Conversations across Fairfax County. She will be at Herndon Middle School on Wednesday, October 30 from 6:30pm-7:30pm. You can register for the event here.
🍂 The Town of Herndon’s leaf collection efforts are underway. On a rotating weekly schedule, Town crews will pick up yard waste through the week of Dec. 9. More information can be found here. Fairfax County residents outside of the Town can find the County’s schedule for leaf collection here.
KEEP IN TOUCH!
It is always wonderful to hear from you! Please call my office at 804-698-1008 or email delishin@house.virginia.gov anytime to schedule a visit or to let me know what’s on your mind. My door is always open, and my team and I remain ready to assist you however we can. We are grateful for the honor of serving you and our district. Thank you for trusting me to represent the priorities of our community and Commonwealth.