Arlington County Sheriff 2023 Primary: 3 Candidates Vie For Nomination

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County voters are casting ballots in the primary election for sheriff on Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All Arlington registered voters can cast a ballot in the Democratic primaries.

Three candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for Arlington County sheriff: acting Arlington County Sheriff Jose Quiroz, retired sheriff's office official Wanda Younger, and Arlington County Police Corporal James Herring.

Quiroz succeeded Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur when she retired in January.

Paul Larson, who lives in Madison Manor and served as chief deputy of the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office before retiring in 2017, was campaigning for Quiroz on Tuesday morning outside the Overlee Knolls and Lexington precincts in Arlington.

Larson said he helped Quiroz come up through the ranks in the sheriff's office and believes he is a good person and will do a good job if elected sheriff.

Regarding some of the negative campaigning aspects of the sheriff's race, Larson said he prefers the more positive policy discussions that have occurred during the campaign, "which I think both Jose and James have done."

In the last seven years, seven men have died while in the Arlington County jail, six of whom were Black. On the campaign trail, each candidate said their policies could help save the lives of those detained in jail, which is overseen by the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office.

Quiroz has said he is bringing in biometric sensors that will allow staff to respond to medical emergencies.

"With today's technology, it's going to be easier to respond to medical emergencies," Larson said.

However, Larson said that staffing remains a major concern at the Arlington County jail. "The primary issue is the staffing struggles, to have enough people in the right places," he said. "I think Jose can bring in a different element to the sheriff's office."

Bruce Hanson, the varsity head football coach at Yorktown High School for the past 35 years, was campaigning for Herring outside the Overlee Knolls and Lexington precincts on Tuesday. Hanson coached Herring more than 15 years ago, when he was an offensive tackle on the Yorktown football team.

"James has a great resume," Hanson said. "He was a police officer in D.C. and a policeman here in Arlington. What I've heard is that he's supposed to be a little tougher on crime."

Hanson said his volunteering at the polls for Herring on Tuesday is the first time he has volunteered for a political campaign.

In her campaign, Younger has said she will prioritize the improvement of mental health services within the Arlington County Detention Facility, including implementing specialized training for staff on de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention, and developing comprehensive mental health screening and treatment programs.

How to Vote on Election Day

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 20. 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

Early voting wrapped up Saturday, June 17. For those who requested a mail-in ballot, it must be returned in person by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20 or postmarked on or before June 20. The mail must be received by the Arlington County Department of Elections before noon on Friday, June 23.

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 June 20 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: Jose Quiroz For Arlington County Sheriff
• 2023 Candidate Profile: Wanda Younger For Arlington County Sheriff
• 2023 Candidate Profile: James Herring For Arlington County Sheriff