UPDATED 11/1 7:55 pm:
See below for a press release from the Fairfax County School Board (Franconia District) campaign of Marcia St. John-Cunning, whose name on the ballot was disqualified by a right-wing judge “based on a typo on one of her petition signature forms,” after voting had already begun (and after “[m]ore than 3,000 Franconia registered voters had cast their ballots as of October 25, 2023”) – truly an “unprecedented” and absurd situation. Anyway, if you live in Franconia District, make sure you WRITE IN Marcia St. John-Cunning’s name on your ballot!
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Franconia, VA, Oct. 28, 2023 – More than 3,000 Franconia registered voters had cast
their ballots as of October 25, 2023, when a judge disqualified school board candidate
Marcia C. St. John-Cunning’s printed name on the ballot based on a typo on one of her
petition signature forms. Removing a candidate from the ballot after voting had begun
is unprecedented. Ms. Marcia C. St. John-Cunning is continuing her candidacy and is
launching a robust write-in campaign.
“I am going to keep running because I am passionate about what I have been doing for
the past 25 years. This is not a political move for me. I love our teachers, and our
families in Franconia District. So I am proud to say that I am still running to be your
representative on the school board. I am running on a platform where every student in
every zip code counts. This unprecedented ruling only amplifies my message – every
vote cast by every Franconia District resident counts. I trust my community and we will
triumph,” said Fairfax County, Franconia District School Board Candidate Marcia C. St.
John-Cunning.
The Fairfax County GOP is causing voter confusion and disenfranchisement as early
voting continues. Today, one voter emailed the campaign:
“Ms. St. John-Cunning. I am incensed over the eleventh-hour Republican ploy to
disqualify you from the November 7 election ballot. This is simply ridiculous and
anti-democratic.
For what it’s worth, I voted early yesterday at the West Springfield Government Center. Your name was still on the ballot, which is interesting because the ballot was printed out at the site (it wasn’t an old one that was left over). This means that whatever order there may have been to strike your name from the ballot was not yet being carried out.
Of course, I voted for you. Had your name not been on the ballot, I would have
written your name in.
I am letting you know this because I fear that, in the event that votes cast for you in early voting will somehow be disqualified (can they do that?), my vote for you AFTER the judge’s order may be similarly disqualified, even though I had every intention of voting for you one way or the other. I will be available, and eager, to participate in any challenge that may relate to a negation of my vote.
I am so sorry that you have to deal with this, and I’m wishing you all the best.”
Here are the facts:
1. Marcia was certified as a qualified candidate back on March 7, 2023. Just days ago, she was disqualified based on an immaterial technicality on her paperwork, after it had been certified by the Fairfax County Registrar months ago.
2. Over 3,000 people have already voted in this race and now their votes won’t count.
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About Marcia C. St. John-Cunning
After 24 years of working for Fairfax County Public Schools, she is seeking the open seat in the Franconia District for the Fairfax County School Board. The foundation of our country is our strong public school system, and she is committed to improving academics, the development of the whole child, to supporting educators, staff, parents and community engagement, and assuring equity and inclusion.
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