Poll update: School Board races

For the past 10 years, Bob Houck has worked the polls, informing voters about the polling process.

This year, the 62-year-old Culpeper resident is campaigning to represent the West Fairfax District on the Culpeper County School Board. He faces challenger John Cerio, 68.

Both men are trying to fill the position left empty in June after former School Board member Jimmy Lee announced his resignation.

A month later, the School Board appointed Houck to serve on the board until Dec. 31.

Houck, donning a safari-type hat, and Cerio, sporting a baseball cap, shook hands and greeted voters as they entered Culpeper United Methodist Church to vote Tuesday.

“We’ve been here since 6 a.m.,” Cerio said.

Of the 4,764 active registered West Fairfax voters, nearly 1,000 people, or 21 percent, had voted by 3 p.m.

And that’s right on target, according to Culpeper County Supervisor Steve Nixon (West Fairfax), who said his district typically has between 1,300 and 1,500 voters turn out by day’s end.

Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates, Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds, cast their ballots early Tuesday morning.

McDonnell voted at River’s Edge Elementary School in the Glen Allen area of Henrico County, and Deeds voted at the Millboro Ruritan Club near his home in Bath County in western Virginia, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Culpeper voter Barbara Howard Amos shared her choice for Virginia’s next governor with a small crowd standing outside CUMC’s parking lot.

“I’m going to vote for who I believe in,” said the spirited West Chandler Street resident on her way inside the church. “And that’s Creigh Deeds.”

A steady stream of voters filed inside Pearl Sample Elementary School Tuesday.

“We haven’t had to pull out our reading material or games yet,” joked officer of election Joan Proctor.

Richard Goff, candidate for the Cedar Mountain District, set up “Camp Goff” near the sidewalk leading to the entrance.

Equipped with a lawn chair, small cooler filled with water, chicken and vegetables, Goff stood up frequently to shake hands with residents as they walked past him.

“I’m not leaving,” he said. “I can go for 15 to 20 hours more. I’m ready for the ride.”

Goff’s neighbors, Ida and Elmer Mahl, shared their decision as they headed back to their vehicle. “You’ve got at least two votes,” Elmer said.

Goff’s challenger, incumbent Elizabeth Hutchins, began her day early Tuesday at Mitchells Presbyterian Church and Pearl Sample to greet voters.

“The sunset was so beautiful that I’m tempted to get up early again another morning to see it again,” said Hutchins, who arrived at the church before dawn.

Of the 2,456 active registered Pearl Sample voters, about 730 or 30 percent cast their votes by noon.

“It’s been pretty steady,” said Barbara Clatterbaugh, an officer of election.