Update: Strong Turnout at Polls Continues in Final Hours of Voting

Update 5:47 p.m.

Voter turnout throughout the Annandale area remained strong into the evening, carrying over from the morning and afternoon as residents squeezed in time at the polls on their way home.

Precinct Chief Thomas H. Brett with precinct 513 at St. Alban's Church said as of 5:30 p.m., they were at 31 percent voter turnout. "That's a fairly high number than usual," said Brett. St. Alban's has seen consistent steady traffic all day. Brett said it seemed very plausible that they would reach 40 percent by the time polls close at 7 p.m.

Other precincts in Annandale reported similar numbers or continue to inch toward 30 percent, including Columbia precinct 518 at the , Canterbury and precinct 113 at who were at 27 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

Local election officials in Fairfax County believe turnout numbers at most precincts, with the exception being those with "highly contested races".

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Originally posted 11:58 a.m. Tuesday

To the surprise of a few polls workers, Annandale voters showed up in larger numbers than expected at various precincts to cast their ballots this morning.

"A lot of voters are excited about this election," said Poe Precinct Chief Mary Louise Wentzel.

At 9:40 a.m. Hummer precinct 519 at the reported a 12 percent voter turnout. Precinct Chief Terry Marsberger said the turnout was somewhat high since the precinct usually sees most of their voters in the evening. While the numbers aren't overwhelming, poll worker Pat Drobnek said the numbers were strong.

Heritage precinct 106 at was at 5.4 percent turnout as of 10:02 a.m. According to poll workers, the turnout has been "consistent, strong, and steady" since polls opened at 6 a.m. this morning.

The Braddock District race between incumbent and challenger is shaping up to be one of the most-watched races in Fairfax County. The Washington Post called the race a "political bellwether".

A few local candidates also visited local precincts to speak with their constituents. Del. Kaye Kory (D-38th) greeted voters at the Lincolnia precinct 507 at , where the turnout has been "slow and steady" all morning. Over at Poe precinct 523 at , candidate , who is running against incumbent for the 35th District Senate seat, returned to his alma mater to vote earlier this morning.

A handful of residents, mostly parents with children enrolled at TJHSST, spoke favorably about the and indicated they would cast a "yes" vote as they headed to the polls around 10 a.m. TJHSST would receive $84.62 million for renovations, if the bond passes.

Most poll workers said they haven't encountered a lot of confused residents who are voting in a different polling location than they did in August for the primaries or in prior years due to redistricting. Both the Lincolnia and Poe precincts reported having one voter show up to the wrong precinct.

Despite the strong turnout this morning, many of the polls workers said the evening would likely bring in the heaviest traffic. If history is a guide, turnout may be around 30 percent. The Washington Post reported yesterday, "In 2007, the last similar election, just 30 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. In 2003, the number was 31 percent."

The polls close at 7 p.m.

Not voting until the evening? Learn more about each of the candidates in our . Patch will also have live blogs of both the and starting at 6:30 p.m.