The special election to fill the seat on the Arlington County Board that is now vacant due to Erik Gutshall’s untimely death has been set by an Arlington County Judge for July 7, 2020. The Arlington Electoral Board has announced that political parties, including the Arlington Democrats, must nominate their candidates for the special election by May 8.

Arlington Democrats believe a vote-by-mail caucus open to all Democratic registered voters in Arlington would best serve the interests of democracy and Arlington voters in this unprecedented time.  But, because of the aggressive timeline set by the laws of Virginia and enforced by the courts, it is impossible to facilitate a vote-by-mail nomination process. This leaves the Arlington Democrats with no option but to select the Democratic nominee through a closed virtual caucus, which involves a vote by the members of its Steering Committee and County Committee (consisting of elected party officials (including Precinct Captains), appointed party officials (including Precinct Leaders and Arlington Young Democrats officers), and Democratic elected officials who reside in Arlington). 

Arlington Democrats is prepared to transform this nomination process into a vote-by-mail process open to all Democratic registered voters in Arlington if the nomination period is extended to encompass a two-month period.  Arlington Democrats is actively exploring options to achieve this extension, including through consultation with multiple legal counsel.

Arlington Democrats is asking Governor Northam and the General Assembly to move the special election date so that political parties have the ability to hold an open nomination process, while respecting necessary social distancing measures. Please help us to fight for the voting rights of Arlington voters by signing this petition.

[Paid for and authorized by Arlington County Democratic Committee]