Fairfax County: Voters show enthusiasm

By Jordan Connell and Afra Abdullah

RESTON, Va. — Voters lined up in the hallways of Langston Hughes Middle School in Fairfax early this morning to vote in the 2016 Presidential Election. More than 4,000 are registered at this precinct. 

Voters waited about 30 minutes this morning at Langston Hughes Middle School in Fairfax County.

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Ron Waggoner has voted in every single presidential election since 1960.

“I voted because of the importance of the candidates primarily. I think they’re more pronounced than any election I can remember, and I’ve been voting since the early 1960s.” — Ron Waggoner, Democratic Party Volunteer. #beltwaynews

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Samantha Pittman is from an immigrant family and has been a Virginia resident since 1982.

“I’m a registered Democrat, and I’m Hispanic from an immigrant family, so it is very rare and it is a gift we get to vote. So, definitely, you have to vote all the time … I wasn’t going to vote for Trump. I wasn’t going to vote Republican. And first, because I’m Democrat, and I don’t believe in any of his issues or stances.” — Samantha Pittman, Fairfax County resident #beltwaynews

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The Muhuro family’s make-it-or-break-it issue this election is the Virginia meal tax.

“A make-it-or-break-it issue for us in this election is the meal tax. The tax is on cooked foods but it’s more than that; it’s on potato salad, sodas and rotisserie chicken and all things we do every day. On the days where I need to take him to soccer practice, do homework, or go to after school activities, or my husband is working late, then I need to go to get meals so my family doesn’t have to eat McDonald’s. I don’t have a problem with the meal tax at restaurants because if you can afford to eat at a restaurant then you can afford the tax. But for the other things that are at the grocery store that’s a deal breaker.” — Muhoro family #beltwaynews

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Lily Mutzig kept voters warm with hot chocolate and entertained them with her ukulele.

“I’m a student at Hughes Middle School. I am in 7th grade. What we are doing is raising money and selling muffins and coffee to voters for an organization called Play It Forward. We are trying to get instruments and donate them to children [in] hospitals and schools.” — Lily Mutzig, 7th grader #beltwaynews

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Lindsay Wasiljov is a proud third-party voter.

“I just felt like this is a really important election because even if it doesn’t go Republican, or I don’t like the candidate, I still feel that it’s a chance for a third party to get in there and open up a new category.” — Lindsay Wasiljov, third party voter (right) #beltwaynews

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Stephanie Schauder said the president should be someone her kids can look up to.

“My make-it-or-break-it issue….I felt very strongly that we needed to get someone in office that was qualified and that someone my kids could look up to, having these little guys. So I wanted to make sure I got out here and did my part. Issues-wise, I was concerned about the Supreme Court because that’s a lasting thing, and I want to make sure someone who is in office is going to uphold what I believe in.” — Stephanie Schauder #beltwaynews

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Karen Reyes turned 18 in February and voted for the first time today.

“It was my first time voting so I was very excited, but I was also scared because of who the candidates were.” — Karen Reyes, first-time voter #beltwaynews

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Glenn Howard volunteers his time to make sure there is no voter intimidation at the polls.

“I voted last week in the District. I was an early voter. I’m out here as a volunteer and to make sure there is no confusion or voter intimidation.” — Glenn Howard, volunteer #beltwaynews

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Chris Dorey and his husband, Paul Tonden, said Hillary Clinton is the reason they came out and voted today.

“Our make-it-or-break-it issue is gay rights. Love, compassion and I mean anytime we’re talking about taking away someone’s rights, I’m never a fan.” -— Chris Dorey (left) and husband Paul Tonden (right) with their roommate (middle) #beltwaynews

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Marcy Brannon is a millennial voter who said there was no way she was voting for Trump.

“I do not want to vote for Trump, that’s really the main thing. My make-it-or-break-it issue is definitely women’s rights and LGBT rights.” — Marcy Brannon, millennial voter #beltwaynews

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