Burke Precinct Adjustments Proposed Based On Redistricting

BURKE, VA — Changes or adjustments to 154 voting precincts in Fairfax County will be considered based on redistricting impacts.

In December, the Virginia Supreme Court approved redrawn state legislative and congressional districts that will take effect with the next elections. Those redrawn districts created split precincts in Fairfax County. Per Virginia law, precincts must be entirely in a magisterial district, state senate district, delegate district and congressional district. There are 54 precincts split by redistricting, and the county is proposing changes to another 100 to remedy split precincts.

The proposed changes will eliminate split precincts before the June 21 primary, if held. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors set a public hearing on the precinct changes for March 8.

The county estimates 29,000 voters, or less than 4 percent of registered Fairfax County voters, would be impacted by the proposed changes. Approximately 87,000 voters impacted by redistricting would be kept at the same polling place under the proposal.

If the changes are adopted, a review from the Virginia attorney general will follow to determine if the changes follow the Virginia voting rights act. Fairfax County's Office of Elections would notify affected voters by mail. The county anticipates a one-time cost of $501,840 in 2022 and annual cost of $54,400 to implement the precinct adjustments.

There are several changes proposed in the Burke area of the Braddock and Springfield districts:

The 108 Kings Park and 133 Danbury precincts were previously divided by a political boundary. The county proposes the 133 Danbury precinct with 751 voters be added to 108 Kings Park with 2,589 existing voters. The polling place would continue to be Kings Park Elementary School.

The 113 Canterbury precinct was split by redistricting. The western part of 113 Canterbury with 348 voters would be added to 109 Little Run with 1,340 existing voters. The polling place would continue to be Little Run Elementary School.

The 120 Sideburn precinct was split by redistricting. The county proposes creating 120 Sideburn #1 with 1,140 voters and 137 Sideburn #2 with 2,200 voters with both voting at Oak View Elementary School.

The 827 Irving precinct was reassigned to the Braddock District from Springfield District. The precinct would be maintained as 135 Irving with continued voting at Irving Middle School.

The 626 Saratoga precinct was reassigned to the Springfield District from the Mount Vernon District. The precinct would be maintained as 855 Saratoga with continued voting at Saratoga Elementary School.

The 801 Burke precinct was split into three parts by redistricting. The county proposes merging a small western portion with no registered voters and the central part with 2,987 voters as 801 Burke #1 with continued voting at West Springfield High School. The 861 Burke #2 precinct would be created with 2,427 voters and continued voting at West Springfield High School.

The 806 Sydenstricker precinct was split due to redistricting. The southeastern portion with 3,425 voters is proposed to be maintained with voting at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church. The northwestern part of 806 Sydenstricker with 198 voters would be added to 807 Hunt Valley with 2,321 existing voters. The precinct would be known as 807 Hunt Valley with voting at Hunt Valley Elementary School.

The full precinct changes proposal is available in the Board of Supervisors agenda starting at page 76.