Arlington Dems: Last Chance to Vote for Libby Garvey, and Possibly Prevent a Major Upset

With turnout extremely low in the special election for Arlington County Board, could Republicans or the Green Party steal this seat from the normally dominant Democrats? According to an analysis by Arlington County Treasurer (and long-time election watcher) Frank O’Leary, “the threshhold for a Democratic victory is a turnout of about 18,000.” Right now, it doesn’t look like we’ll be coming anywhere close to that. So, Arlington Democrats, if you don’t want a right-wingnut on the County Board, you’ve still got a bit under 2 hours to get out and vote — for Libby Garvey! Thanks.

UPDATE 7:55 pm: With all precincts counted, Libby Garvey wins with 7,007 votes (49.16%) over Mark Kelly with 6,194 votes (43.46%) and Audrey Clement with 1,007 votes (7.06%). Not the most overwhelming victory I’ve ever seen, but a win’s a win, right?

UPDATE 7:47 pm: With 48 precincts (90.56%) reporting, it’s Garvey 6,635 (49.56%), Kelly 5,794 (43.28%), and Clement 921 (6.87%).

UPDATE 7:39 pm: As an Arlington Democratic friend of mine put it, “if Arlington Republicans couldn’t win a special election with THIS low turnout, they should just disband/fold up shop.” I agree – #FAIL!!!

UPDATE 7:36 pm: With 44 precincts (83%) reporting, it’s Garvey 5,541 (50.27%), Kelly 4,657 (42.25%), Clement 789 (7.15%). All over but the shouting; congratulations to Libby Garvey on her election to the Arlington County Board! 🙂

UPDATE 7:35 pm: It looks like Frank O’Leary’s cutoff of 18,000 votes for the Democratic candidate to win is not going to pan out. Right now, it looks like perhaps 12,000-14,000 votes total, and a Democratic win regardless.

UPDATE 7:30 pm: With 41 precincts (77.35%) reporting, it’s Garvey 5,120 (50.48%), Kelly 4,274 (42.14%), Clement 715 (7.05%). Looking good for Libby (or should we call her “Landslide Libby?)! 🙂

UPDATE 7:25 pm: With 27 precincts (50.94%) reporting, it’s Garvey 3,156 (50.46%), Kelly 2,654 (42.43%), Clement 422 (6.74%).

UPDATE 7:20 pm: With 13 precincts reporting, it’s Garvey 1,475 (51.93%), Kelly 1,206 (42.46%), Clement 150 (5.28%). A bit better, but still too close! Garvey did VERY well in her home area of Fairlington in South Arlington, also in Clarendon and Virginia Square in North Arlington. I’m feeling more confident.

UPDATE 7:16 pm: With 5 precincts out of 53 counted, it’s Kelly with 578 votes, Garvey with 546, Clement with 66. Hmmmm.

UPDATE 6:55 pm: Polls close in 5 minutes, click here to follow the returns as they come in.