On December 19, Circuit Court Chief Judge William Newman, Jr., set March 27, 2012, as the date for the special election to replace County Board member Barbara Favola. (Favola was elected to the Virginia Senate in November 2011.) Favola’s seat will remain unfilled from December 31, 2011, when she formally resigned, until a replacement board member is elected.
 
Election officials originally thought the special election would be held on April 17, but Judge Newman chose an earlier date. This adjustment has forced the local parties to move up the dates for their party caucuses and canvasses.
 
The Arlington County Democratic Committee’s (ACDC’s) new caucus dates are Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7 pm–9 pm, at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street) and Saturday, January 21, 2012, 11 am–7 pm, at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road). The Democratic caucus will select a candidate to run for the open board seat.
 
The Arlington County Republican Committee (ACRC) will hold its party canvass on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 6 pm–8 pm, at ACRC headquarters (405 S. Glebe Road). ACRC’s party canvass will nominate a board candidate to run in the special election.
 
Arlington Green Party member and recent County Board candidate Audrey Clement has expressed her intent to run in the special election. Under Virginia law, she must collect petition signatures to get on the ballot and must run as an Independent.

To vote in the special election, you must be registered to vote by Monday, March 12.
 
In addition to the County Board special election, a presidential primary (for Republican candidates) will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. To vote in the presidential primary, you must be registered to vote no later than Monday, February 13. For voter registration information, visit http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/voterregistration/voterregistrationmain.aspx or call 703-228-3456.