To the Editor:E

Election Day is here and some major decisions are at hand!

On behalf of the City of Emporia and Greensville County Democratic Committee I write in full support of the candidacies to re-elect Congressman Donald McEachin, the Hon. Mrs. Yolanda Hines for City Council in District 7. Also, I fully stand with the members of our committee to support our member Mrs. Hattie Sue Jefferson in District 4 as a write-in candidate.

In Congressman McEachin our communities of Emporia-Greensville have an unwavering supporter that fights for us!  He has fought and will continue to fight to protect Social Security and Medicare while continuing to rebuild our economy as well as further creating and attracting quality jobs here in the Fourth Congressional District.  The Congressman has involved himself and his office in addressing the concerns of our residents regarding the slow and poor quality of mail delivery throughout the County and City. Our Congressman works in tandem with President Biden and Vice President Harris to address the most important and necessary needs of our community!

In District 7 the City of Emporia finally has a Council Member that represents them fairly and one which unequivocally has their best interest at heart!  Rarely do you see an elected leader that has responded to the call of her fellow citizens that gets it…and Yolanda Hines GETS IT!  As a member of our committee, she sought our endorsement to run for city council under our banner to continue to effectuate positive change.  In Yolanda’s impassioned plea seeking our support she clearly understands that our city is near to turning the corner as we progress through a difficult crossroads – where we can either idly watch as our city folds with ever increasing water bills, “shell games” of devaluing property assessments while increasing property taxes, as well as decreasing city service.  OR…the city council and its leaders can “take the bull by the horns” and address the city’s need for stronger and more frequent efforts to spur on Economic Development efforts.  She believes that it is time to try regular and persistent intelligent conversations during each and every city council meeting about recruiting employers with jobs that can pay a living wage and take proactive steps to recruit developers that are willing to invest in our city.  Additionally, we should continue to encourage entrepreneurs and small business owners – as we all know a rising tide lifts ALL boats!  When investment is encouraged, new jobs are sought and created, the quality of our schools’ performance increases and in turn the will of future generations to return home and know they are wanted and needed to keep writing the city of Emporia’s future success story!  She has assisted many citizens not only from her district but other districts as well as across the city and county with job searches through her former work with head start and Southside Virginia Community College. She has her Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice as well as a Master’s in Business Administration from Averett University. She IS the only candidate that is ready to address the REAL concerns of the City of Emporia’s District 7!!!

However, Council member Hines can’t do it by herself.  She needs the help and support of others on City Council.  After the sudden death and untimely passing of District 4’s representative and the immediacy to find a candidate to place on the ballot the Democratic Committee sought out Mrs. Hattie Sue Jefferson to run as its write-in candidate to win the vacant District 4 seat on Council. 

Mrs. Hattie Sue Jefferson, a long-time resident of Emporia and Greensville County native is married to Charles Jefferson and has one son, Quinton; a PhD student at Old Dominion University.  Hattie Sue has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing/Communications from Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia and she holds her Master’s in Business Education from Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia. Further, she has attended Penn State University studying Labor Relations. In her leadership capacities she has served as a representative for the City of Emporia with the Crater District Area Agency on Aging.  She has served as a Career Counselor for Southside Virginia Community College and has been a Special Education Teacher.  She is a past President of Local Union CWA 2275 and was elected to serve as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention.  Hattie Sue is retired and has the undivided attention to commit to serving as the Council representative from District 4!

Both Council Member Hines and Candidate Mrs. Jefferson are ardent supporters for after school and year-round recreational opportunities for our children and youth.  They are firm believers that governments place emphasis on the things which are of the utmost importance to them and for them, that emphasis should be greatly shared with the future and hope of our community – our children.  Yolanda and Hattie Sue are equally as concerned about their fellow citizens in that they put their money where their mouths are.

There are no others better qualified and suited to stand and fight for this community and its citizens than Yolanda Hines and Hattie Sue Jefferson!  Combined they have more than five plus decades in public service and they truly understand the need to attract new Employers, affordable quality housing and year-round youth programs.

Congressman Donald McEachin, Council Member Yolanda Hines and Mrs. Hattie Sue Jefferson comes to the table with a wealth of experience and are prepared to take on the challenges presented in this Country, our Fourth Congressional District, County and City!

I ask on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 that our fellow citizens in Emporia-Greensville and Districts 4 and 7 make your way to your polling place - the fire department for District 7, the Band Room for District 4 and cast your votes for Donald McEachin for

U.S. Congress, Yolanda Hines, City Council – District 7 and Write-in Hattie Sue Jefferson for District 4!  The polls open at 6 o’clock in the morning and close at 7 o’clock in the evening – stop by and vote for a Positive CHANGE!!! 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Emporia-Greensville Democrats,

George E. Morrison, III, Chairman

Chloe Hawkins, Capital News Service 

RICHMOND, Va. – Thousands of Virginians used a warm November Saturday to cast ballots on the final day of early voting.

Lawmakers passed a series of election reform measures in recent years that expand the voting period and allow for no-excuse absentee voting, or early voting.

Virginia voters will elect a member to the U.S. House of Representatives in all of the state’s 11 congressional districts, with varying districts also voting on local candidates and initiatives. Over 1 million absentee ballots were requested, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Over 940,000 ballots have been received as of Nov. 7. Over 680,000 ballots were returned in person, and over 226,000 ballots were mailed. 

Polls were open on weekdays except for the two Saturdays preceding the election. A steady line of people waited five to 10 minutes outside the Henrico County Western Government Center to vote Saturday. Some people waited longer than they might on Election Day, but appreciated the convenience of checking voting off their to-do list.

Henrico County general registrar Mark Coakley has held the position for 18 years, he said. Coakley, who studied political science in college, said he chose to be a part of the political process because it’s been a passion of his since he was a young adult.

“I’m really excited for voters showing up,” Coakley said. “Today, and on Election Day.”

Voters are happy with this shift, he said.

“With early voting, the voters get to choose to wait in line at 8:30 on a Saturday morning,” Coakley said. “It’s their choice — they’re not forced to vote on a Tuesday after a long workday.”

Alan Wagner is a voter who lives in Henrico County, parts of which are in congressional District 1. Wagner is concerned about crime, and the economy—especially the rising costs of items due to inflation, he said.

“I’m afraid to go into downtown Richmond sometimes,” Wagner said. “And the gas and food prices are outrageous.” 

This is the first year Wagner voted early, in four decades of voting, he said. He decided to vote early due to the uncertainty of his work schedule on Election Day. 

“I’m really busy working 10-hour shifts,” Wagner said. “I don’t know what the lines will look like at the precinct after 5 o'clock on Tuesday.” 

Virginia residents have more of a voice in elections such as midterms, Coakley said, when they choose representatives to speak on their behalf in Congress. But, turnout is always higher in a presidential election. Almost 2.7 million early votes were cast in 2020 in Virginia, according to the state’s Department of Elections. For the gubernatorial election last year, over 1.1 million people voted early, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, or VPAP. 

Although voter turnout in the 2018 midterm election was historic, an expanded time frame for early voting did not exist, Coakley said, which makes turnout comparisons more difficult.

“These laws weren’t put in place in 2018,” Coakley said. “But they have caused an increase in early voting.” 

For example, over 330,000 early votes were cast in 2018 in Virginia, and that number will likely be at least three times higher this year, according to data from the Virginia Department of Elections. But, 1.2 million more people voted in 2018 than the previous midterm election. It remains to be seen if turnout this year will reach similar participation.

There is a 70% return rate of absentee ballots overall in Virginia as of Nov. 7, with the lowest district return rate at 64% and the highest at 76%, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

Election Day is Nov. 8. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by that date and received by noon three days after the election to count. Voters can find their polling place on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Voters can also register to vote on Election Day, though they will be given a provisional ballot.