A move to create a new voting precinct and polling station on the main campus of George Mason University turned personal on Tuesday as Fairfax Republicans accused Democratic County Board Chairwoman Sharon Bulova of partisan politics. Under the General Assembly’s redistricting plan, George Mason’s campus is isolated from the rest of its precinct, meaning voters there must drive through Fairfax City in order to reach a voting booth. An on-campus precinct would eliminate that hurdle.
“We want the students and employees of George Mason, especially those living on campus, to feel like they are part of the Fairfax County community,” Bulova said.
George Mason is located in the county’s Braddock District, currently represented by Republican Supervisor John Cook. Bulova represented Braddock before she became chairwoman. Her son, Virginia Del. David Bulova (D-37th), represents a portion of the county that includes the university.
Cook, likely aware that public universities hardly are regarded as hotbeds of conservatism, called Bulova out for stepping on his turf.
“When someone from the other political party makes a motion that pertains to my district, and pertains to the conduct of elections in my district, and it’s made during an election year and I’m not consulted, then I’m concerned with what’s really going on,” he said.
Cook was backed by fellow Republican Pat Herrity (R-Springfield).
“It smells of politics,” Herrity said.
Bulova defended herself by saying that a polling station has long been requested by the school’s student body and that her motion simply requested county staff consider a new precinct, not create one on the spot.
George Mason politics professor Michael McDonald supported the idea, saying the need for a polling station on campus has existed for years, and the lack of one has depressed student turnout at the polls.
But he downplayed the assumption that more student voters would mean more Democrats in office.
“We’re dancing on the head of a pin here. GMU’s student body is very diverse politically,” he said. “Some students will be encouraged to vote, but it’s hard to say whom, and I wouldn’t say they’re all Democrats.”
