The Outcomes Can Affect Your Livelihood!

With all eyes on the 2016 presidential election, many may not be focused on the significant number of elections taking place in Virginia this November.  Local and state elections are critical to our industry.  These elected officials are the individuals who will affect your every-day life and your business practices.

Virginia has a “mega election” every four years.  All 140 members of the state legislature and many local officials are up for reelection.  For those of us in Northern Virginia, this means more than 35 General Assembly seats, and the entire Boards of Supervisors or City Council members for Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. And, in some localities like Fairfax County, the Clerk of the Court is running for reelection.

What makes this year particularly important is that there are open seats – where the incumbents are not running – in a number of jurisdictions. This is our opportunity to meet these new candidates and let them know our position on real estate-related issues.  Candidates do not know and understand all issues. Our meetings and lobbying efforts are tools to help educate them.

The Trustees of the Northern Virginia/Realtors® Political Action Committee (NV/RPAC) have interviewed candidates for these open seats to determine which of them indicate support for our issues and should receive our backing. Candidates completed questionnaires relating to real estate issues, and were interviewed by the 11 trustees.  

For those incumbent legislators who have worked very closely with us –our Realtor® Champions – we’ll be going the extra mile for them, with Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts.

Through the involvement of our association membership and other Realtors® who are active in their communities, we can make a big difference in the election outcomes. Don’t sit back and “let someone else vote.” Every vote makes a difference.  Your future livelihood depends on your participation.

The list of NV/RPAC –endorsed candidates will be on nvar.com after the trustees have made their decisions.  In September, watch your in-box for NVAR’s Town Hall Notes and e-news to see the latest election information.  Volunteer to help. We can help connect you with the endorsed candidates.  For more information, email govaffairs.com

Mary Beth Coya is the NVAR senior vice president for public & government affairs