Scott Bradford: Off on a Tangent

I Voted; Did You?

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I Voted
I Voted

I voted this morning at my polling place in South Riding, Virginia. If you are a U.S. citizen who is eligible to vote, and elections are being held in your locality, you should go to the polls today too.

There are many important races on the ballot today. In Virginia, our entire state Senate and House of Delegates are up for election, as are many local boards of supervisors, school boards, and local constitutional officers like sheriffs and commonwealth’s attorneys. By some measures, these are more important to our day-to-day lives than the high-profile national elections in other years.

Take the time to research the candidates and issues on your ballot and make informed choices. Don’t let anybody tell you that your vote doesn’t matter. Don’t let anybody tell you that your choice is wrong. No informed vote is a wasted vote.

And let’s respect one another. I’ve made my choices—and I encourage you to read my reasons why. You are free to make yours. I may not agree with you, but as long as you have seriously considered your choices, I respect them. I hope you’ll offer me the same courtesy in return.

Please come back to Off on a Tangent this evening for live results from the races that I am following.

Virginia General Assembly, 2019

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Seal of Virginia
Seal of Virginia

The Virginia General Assembly is composed of two houses, the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate. Members of the House of Delegates serve two-year terms, and members of the Senate serve four-year terms, elected at a two-year offset from our gubernatorial elections. This year, both houses are standing for election.

British colonists established what is now called the General Assembly in 1619 at Jamestown, where it was called the House of Burgesses. It moved to Williamsburg in 1699, and then became the General Assembly in 1776 when the American colonies declared independence. It moved to Richmond when that city became the state capital in 1780.

The Virginia General Assembly is the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere.

Read more . . .

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, 2019

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Seal of Loudoun County
Seal of Loudoun County

Article VII Section 5 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia establishes that each local government must be governed by an elective body. In Loudoun County, this body takes the form of a Board of Supervisors, which has responsibility for all local legislation, budgeting, and appointments. It operates under the authorities and limits set forth by the Virginia General Assembly.

The board is composed of nine members, all of whom serve concurrent four-year terms on the same election schedule as the Virginia Senate. The chairman is elected in a county-wide at-large race, and the remaining eight members are elected by voters from each of the eight named county districts. Currently, the Republican Party holds a majority of six seats, and the Democratic Party holds three seats.

Chairman

The Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is the leader of the board and the highest local elected official.

Read more . . .

Other Loudoun County Offices, 2019

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Loudoun County Constitutional Offices

Seal of Loudoun County
Seal of Loudoun County

Article VII Section 4 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia establishes several elective local offices that must be filled in every city and county. These offices are Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, and Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Those elected to these offices serve four-year terms, except for the Clerk of the Circuit Court who serves an eight-year term. Elections are typically held in the same year as Virginia Senate elections. This year in Loudoun County, all these offices except Circuit Court Clerk are up for election.

Commonwealth’s Attorney

In the race to serve as Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Buta Biberaj (D) and Loudoun County Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney M. Nicole Wittmann (R) are vying for an open seat. Incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman (R) is not seeking reelection.

The Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes in the county, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and juvenile offenses. Commonwealth’s attorneys serve a four-year term.

Read more . . .

Loudoun County Bond Referendums, 2019

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Article VII, Section 10, of the Constitution of Virginia requires local governments to obtain voter approval to issue bonds. Voters in Loudoun County, Virginia, will be asked to consider four bond referendums on this year’s ballot.

Bonds are debt. When they are sold, the issuing government receives an influx of cash from the purchasers. But, like a bank loan, that money must be repaid over time with interest.

Like any other loan, bonds should only be used when necessary. Most projects should be funded directly from the general fund (i.e., from the “money in the bank”). Only when some specific project is very important, but too large to fund directly, should we turn to using bonds for financing.

Read more . . .

Scott Bradford is a writer and technologist who has been putting his opinions online since 1995. He believes in three inviolable human rights: life, liberty, and property. He is a Catholic Christian who worships the trinitarian God described in the Nicene Creed. Scott is a husband, nerd, pet lover, and AMC/Jeep enthusiast with a B.S. degree in public administration from George Mason University.