Delegate Lopez Questions Timing and Extra Cost of Governor's Chosen Special Election Date

by: AlfonsoForDelegate

Fri Jul 27, 2012 at 13:34:11 PM EDT

Delegate Lopez Questions Timing and Extra Cost of Governor's Chosen Special Election Date for 45th District House of Delegates Seat

(Arlington, VA)  Governor McDonnell has set September 4th as the date of the Special Election for two Virginia General Assembly vacancies - the 45th District House of Delegates seat and the 5th District State Senate seat.  Now, in order to comply with State law, both parties must determine their Party nominees by August 4th.

In order to reduce overall costs and community expense, most political observers believed that the Governor would allow the Special Election to coincide with the November Presidential election.  By holding the Special Election on a different date, additional overall estimated costs just for localities in the 45th House District will be approximately $50,000.

"While I understand the importance of filling these vacancies as soon as possible, I believe the appropriate, nonpartisan approach would have been to contact the localities and local parties to seek their input on a mutually agreeable election date.  Instead, by acting unilaterally on setting a date, localities will have to unnecessarily spend considerable additional public funds."  Delegate Lopez continued, "Also, it is important to note, that by not holding the Special Election in November overall turnout will be significantly reduced for these two critically important General Assembly seats."  

Contact: Jason Stanford
571.336.2147
DelALopez@house.virginia.gov