Braddock District Supervisor John Cook visits Mason to discuss new voting precinct

Supervisor Cook sat down with C2M to talk about what the new voting precinct will mean for Mason students. This video is also posted on the C2M YouTube channel (Jake McLernon).

Republican John C. Cook, Supervisor for Fairfax County’s Braddock District, was on campus Monday night speaking with students about the new on-campus voting precinct. The University Precinct’s polling place will be in University Hall.   

“We want to educate people on what [the new precinct] actually means,” said Cook. “It’s not just about being able to vote here; you have to change your residency. None of the rules have changed—all that’s changed is the location of the polling place. You always could register here [in Fairfax], but it used to be that Woodson High School was where you voted. Now you’ll vote in University Hall.”

Prior to this summer, Mason students had to make a trip into Fairfax City to cast their ballots.

The Fairfax Board of Supervisors approved creation of a new precinct in July.

“We can move voting precincts whenever we want, but generally we only do it when the census results come in,” said Cook, who added that the idea of making Mason its own precinct “had been kicked around for years.”

“Anybody in public life would say, at least I hope, that they want more voting, that they want more people involved in civic life,” Cook said. “If this will get students more involved then that’s great.”

Not everyone stood behind the plan, however. The College Democrats, who suggested the creation of the new precinct to the Board of Supervisors, tried and failed to enlist the College Republicans in their effort.

College Republicans Chairwoman Cheslea Morin, majoring in government and international politics, explained her group’s concerns over the University Precinct.

“Making Mason a polling place impacts the vote,” said Morin. “Obviously, that seemed a little partisan.”

Morin went on to cite potential logistical problems and noted that an available precinct already existed nearby.

“The previous polling location had been right across the street,” she explained. “There are so many out-of-state and out-of-country students, and we thought that could lead to challenges.”

Among those challenges, Morin said, was the scarcity of parking and diverse views that could create a security issue.

“That’s why, in the beginning, we didn’t think it would be a good idea,” she said. “When a polling location is being created, you don’t want to have chaos.”

With the decision finalized, however, Morin urged students to take advantage of on-campus voting and to “know how crucial their vote is.”

Supervisor Cook also urged students to feel a part of their local government.

“What I’d like to happen is for students on campus to feel like more a part of the Fairfax County community,” he said. “I’m their supervisor, too. They can come to me like any other citizen can. They’re not outside of local government; they’re a part of it.”

Cook has served as Braddock District Supervisor since being sworn in March 17. He is running for re-election and will be challenged in the Nov. 8 general election by Democrat Janet Oleszek.

Cook said he planned to visit campus in the future at the discretion of student organizations. He said Mason students were welcome to contact his office by phone at 703-425-9300 or by e-mail at braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov

“They should feel free to call if they have a concern. They should know that they have a local official they can talk to.”