Election Guide
2023 Arlington Democratic Primary
Get ready to vote! The Democratic Primary will be a low-turnout election. Your vote will have a big impact. Voters will rank their top three candidates to fill two vacancies on the County Board.
MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THREE PRO-HOUSING CANDIDATES ON YOUR BALLOT!
First day of In-Person Early Voting: May 5, 2023
Last day to register to vote or update existing registration: May 30, 2023
Last day to apply for a mail ballot: 5pm, June 9, 2023
Election day: Tuesday, June 20
Two new County Board members will be elected in 2023. With your help, they can both be housing champions!
Arlington County Board YIMBY-Approved Candidates
Demonstrates deep knowledge of housing policy, including in her informed, detailed responses to our candidate questionnaire.
Extensive leadership experience at all levels of the Democratic Party, including as president of Virginia Young Democrats and in Arlington Civic Federation and other civic organizations.
Renter who provided detailed plans for outreach to Arlington’s renting majority.
Strong track record of pro-housing advocacy, including repeatedly testifying in favor of Missing Middle housing at public hearings, the only pro-housing candidate to do so.
Experienced local civic leader, including on various County volunteer commissions and committees and as president of the NAACP Arlington Branch.
Highest name recognition and subjective electability of the three pro-housing candidates.
Member of YIMBYs of NoVA.
Thoughtful candidate questionnaire responses show alignment with YIMBY values.
Leadership experience in the state and local Democratic Party, including as president of Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia and serving on Virginia's LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.
Renter who expressed a desire to help individuals from historically marginalized groups participate more fully in Arlington’s civic life and political process.
The combined responses for all candidates (including those we are not recommending because they do not effectively support abundant housing) are here.
The Arlington County Board Democratic Primary will use Ranked Choice Voting to select two candidates to move to the General Election in November. You can rank your top three candidates, in order of preference. If your first choice receive 33%+1 of all first-choice votes, a fraction of your vote can be transferred to your second or third choice candidate. If your first-choice candidate is eliminated, your full vote transfers to your second-choice candidate, and so on.
To have the best chance of two pro-housing candidates winning the primary, please rank Maureen Coffey and Julius D. "JD" Spain, Sr., as your first two choices, and Jonathan Dromgoole as your third.
Vote early in person
Vote by mail
find your june 20 polling place
Go online to find your polling place here.
On Tuesday, June 20, polls will be open from 6:00am to 7:00pm.
Get involved with Yimby turnout
The best way to get two pro-housing candidates through the Democratic Primary is to increase turnout among Arlington's young renter majority.
Talk to your friends, colleagues, and neighbors - your recommendation and encouragement to vote is the most important thing!
Volunteer for our recommended candidates. Click on any of their pictures or names above to get connected with the campaigns.
Stay tuned for more ways to help with pro-housing turnout! Reach out to hello@yimbysofnova.org if you want to help plan activities.
Thurs., June 1, 6:00-8:00pm: Phone banking
Sat., June 3: Canvassing at 10am for Maureen or 12pm for JD