Politics & Government

Fairfax Voters 'Weren't Expecting Paper Ballots'

But precincts are looking forward to new equipment next year, county election board said.

By Jennifer van der Kleut 

Officials from the Fairfax County Electoral Board said Tuesday afternoon that things have run smoothly countywide for the election.

However, they said they are looking forward to new equipment next year.

"One thing we're hearing from folks out at the precincts is...they weren't expecting paper ballots," said Brian Schoeneman, secretary of the county's Electoral Board. "That's been a new shift since the General Assembly changed their philosophy of electronic voting equipment."

Schoeneman said despite voters having to use paper ballots that are being scanned this year, everything appears to be going smoothly. 

County officials said voter turnout has been "slow but steady" across Fairfax County, and they expected things to start picking up around 4 or 5 p.m. until the polls close at 7 p.m.

Watch the video above for more comments from county officials on how voting has been Tuesday.


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