Arlington County Board Member Libby Garvey Re-elected

• Garvey, first elected in March 2012, wins full term

• Voter turnout hits historic high

• Voters approve bond measures for schools, parks, County infrastructure and Metro

ARLINGTON, Va. – Arlington County Board member Libby Garvey was elected to a full four-year term on the Board Tuesday, November 6, 2012. With 98.1% of precincts reporting, Garvey won 58.17% of the vote, according to unofficial results this morning from the Virginia State Board of Elections.

Garvey was first elected to the County Board in a special election on March 27, 2012. She completed the unexpired term of former member Barbara Favola, who was elected to the Virginia Senate in November 2011. Her new term begins Jan. 1, 2013 and will run through Dec. 31, 2016. Her swearing-in will be announced later this week. To learn more about Ms. Garvey, visit the County website.

“We congratulate Libby Garvey on her re-election to the County Board,” said Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “And we thank Arlington County voters for once again giving overwhelming support to County government and Arlington Public Schools.

“In approving every bond measure on the ballot,” Hynes said, “Arlingtonians sent a message that they believe strongly in the need to invest in infrastructure – in keeping our schools great, in funding Metro and other public transit, in acquiring and improving parks and open space and building more recreational facilities to serve our community. The Board will ensure that this money is wisely spent on well-managed, cost-effective projects that will benefit Arlingtonians for generations to come.”

Arlington currently holds Aaa/AAA/AAAA ratings from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch. It is one of only 39 counties in the United States to hold this distinction. Holding the highest bond rating enables the County to sell its general obligation bonds at the lowest possible rates.

Moody’s Investors Service earlier this year confirmed the County's Aaa and other related ratings, and assigned a negative outlook to those ratings.  This action followed Moody’s announcement that the Aaa rating of the U.S. government has been confirmed and assigned a negative outlook.  A total of 36 local governments remain on negative outlook based on Moody's action, including 9 in Northern Virginia. 

County saw record turnout

“Unofficial turnout hit a historic high of just under 118,000 voters, or 83% of the active registered voters,” said County Registrar of Voter Linda Lindberg.  “The percentage turnout is slightly lower than our record of 85% in 1992, when 83,132 Arlingtonians cast ballots.”

Lindberg noted that all polling places in Arlington’s 52 precincts were busy, and many had lines all day. Polls closed at 7 p.m., but because state law mandates that everyone in line at 7 p.m. is permitted to vote, “the last voter didn't finish voting until about 9 p.m.,” Lindberg said.

Arlington’s absentee results are still being tabulated this morning, Lindberg said.  A large number of absentee ballots mailed from the County’s overseas and military voters must be hand-counted, and that takes considerable time with a long ballot.”

Arlington voters support all County bond measures

Arlington County voters supported all County bond measures on the ballot:

• 81.17% of voters approved $42.62 million to fund Arlington Public Schools’ capital improvement program. The bonds will fund the design and construction of various School facility projects including new elementary schools, building additions for additional classroom space and maintenance capital projects.

• 72.85% of voters approved $28.30 to fund Board-approved Neighborhood Conservation projects. The Neighborhood Conservation Program provides funding for a variety of neighborhood-identified capital improvement projects including street improvements (sidewalk, curb and gutter, drainage, paving), traffic management and pedestrian enhancements, park improvements, street lighting, recreational facilities, landscaping, and beautification. This proposal will also provide funding for the County’s information technology and public safety needs through installation of a public safety network, and facilities maintenance capital improvements, including design and construction of projects including but not limited to roofs, electrical and heating/cooling systems and other facilities infrastructure. The County Board may reallocate bond funds among the various projects to the extent necessary or desirable.

• 61.38% of voters approved $50.55 million to help finance park improvements and enhancements and land acquisition for parks and open space. The largest component of this proposal would fund the design and construction of an aquatics, health and fitness center at Long Bridge Park and improvements to the surrounding park. Approximately $1.0 million for the Land Acquisition and Open Space programs is expected to fund strategic park acquisitions based on the Public Spaces Master Plan or other parks related needs. This proposal would also fund maintenance capital improvements such as playground, courts and other parks infrastructure improvements. The County Board may reallocate bond funds among the various projects to the extent necessary or desirable.

• 80.14% of voters approved $31,946,000 for a variety of transportation, road, pedestrian enhancement and transit projects across the County. The largest component of this proposal would fund Arlington County’s share of WMATA/Metro’s capital improvement program, including the Metro Capital Improvement Program to improve regional mobility and accessibility and relieve traffic congestion. This proposal would also provide matching funds for certain transportation projects that receive state and federal funding. Proceeds of this proposal would also fund a portion of the costs for paving local streets and roadways, as well as the WALKArlington, BikeArlington, and Neighborhood Traffic Calming programs.

For complete Arlington election results, visit the State Board of Elections website.

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.