Missing Middle Not A Top Voter Issue: Arlington County Board Election

ARLINGTON, VA — Many voters who have concerns about the new Missing Middle housing policy that went into effect on July 1 in Arlington are still opting to cast their ballots for the two Democratic candidates for Arlington County Board on Tuesday, according to interviews with voters.

Polls will be open until 7 p.m. in Arlington for residents to cast their ballots in the general election for two seats open on the county board and other races.

Four candidates are seeking to fill the two seats on the county board: independent Audrey Clement, Republican Juan Carlos Fierro and Democrats Maureen Coffey and Susan Cunningham.

The candidates are vying to fill the seats held by Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey and former Board Member Katie Cristol. Both Dorsey and Cristol decided not to run for a third term on the county board.

The new Missing Middle zoning ordinance was a top issue in the Democratic primary in June. Coffey strongly supported the county board's adoption of the Missing Middle plan, while Cunningham had concerns with the new ordinance.

On Tuesday, voters expressed different opinions on the county's passage of Missing Middle. But residents who had reservations about the county's passage of the new zoning ordinance said they still voted for both Democratic candidates instead of voting for Cunningham and Clement or Fierro, who both strongly opposed Missing Middle in their campaigns for county board.

"I understand the concept, and it comes from a good place. But at the same time, I don’t think it’s necessarily the right plan that’s being executed," a resident, who voted for the two Democratic candidates for county board, said about Missing Middle. "I think more thought needs to be put into that and certainly a little bit more opportunity for input from the community as well."

Another voter, Sandra Zawacki, told Patch she voted Democrat down the ballot because the party's values closely align with hers as far as how she thinks Arlington should be run.

As for the Missing Middle issue, Zawacki said, "It’s a complicated issue for me because I do believe that we need to have more affordable housing in Arlington. But I don’t necessarily believe that that is the right solution. But in the end, from a holistic standpoint, I still voted for the Democratic candidates for county board."

Jeffrey and Rebecca Vandall, who live in the High View Park-Halls Hill neighborhood, said they voted for Cunningham and Coffey for county board.

"I just think Maureen is going to do a good job," Rebecca Vandall said. "I know Susan, and she’s very even-keeled, she’s incredibly smart, she’s a working mother. She’s a professional. I have faith in her."

Jeffrey Vandall said he thinks having someone from a younger generation like Coffey will benefit the county board. "I think it’s good to have a mixed age range on the board," he said.

"Younger people have different things they’re concerned about," said Vandall, who noted that Missing Middle was not his No. 1 issue in the election. "They have to be able to afford housing here. You have to make opportunities for them if you want to keep this a vibrant community."

"People need a place to live. That’s just the bottom line," Rebecca Vandall added.

Another resident who voted for Coffey and Cunningham said she viewed some of the candidates for county board as single-issue candidates. "I did not vote for the single-issue candidates because I think there are things beyond Missing Middle," she said.

A Republican election supporter outside a voting precinct in Arlington told Patch that there are a lot of issues that appeal to people in both parties. "I’m just trying to provide people with options for what the Republicans have to offer," she said.

In July, Arlington County Board members decided against approving the use of ranked choice voting in November’s general election for two seats on the county board, a decision they attributed primarily to confusion about vote tabulation issues in the Democratic primary, which used ranked choice voting.

In late 2022, the same board approved the use of ranked choice voting in the Democratic primary for county board that was held on June 20.

How to Vote on Election Day

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. To check your polling place, visit the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal.

To see a polling places, visit the Arlington County Department of Elections website. An acceptable form of identification is required to vote in person.

A Note On Early Voting

For those who requested a mail-in ballot, it must be returned in person by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 or postmarked on or before Nov. 7. The mail must be received by the Arlington County Department of Elections before noon on Friday, Nov. 10.

Mail-in ballots may be returned by mail, at drop boxes across the county, and on Election Day at polling places between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where to Find Election Results

Unofficial election results will start to come in after polls close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Follow Patch on Election Day for live coverage of Arlington County primary election results.

RELATED:

• 2023 Candidate Profile: Juan Carlos Fierro For Arlington County Board
• 2023 Candidate Profile: Audrey Clement Running For Arlington County Board