Franconia District School Board Candidate
Marcia C. St. John-Cunning Requalified on the Ballot
Franconia, VA, Nov. 1, 2023
This evening, the Fairfax County Office of Elections requalified Franconia School Board Candidate Marcia C. St. John-Cunning based on a ruling by the Fairfax County Circuit Court this afternoon.
“This decision is justice for the 3000 residents who already exercised their constitutional right to vote. More than that, it upholds my platform where every student, parent, and FCPS educator in every zip code counts. The will of the people is democracy, and today democracy wins. This should be a wakeup call. The amount of money and resources the Republicans put into this school board race illustrates their strategy to reframe the Fairfax County School Board. Their tactics of disenfranchisement and confusion didn’t happen in Tennessee or Georgia. They happened in our backyard,” said Fairfax County, Franconia District School Board Candidate Marcia C. St. John-Cunning.
Ms. St. John-Cunning will continue her campaign as a qualified candidate immediately.
Early voting continues through November 4 and election day is Tuesday, November 7.
The press release below serves as additional information about the situation prior to November 1st, 2023.
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Marcia was reinstated as a qualified candidate and you can fill in the bubble next to her name to vote.
It is no longer necessary to write-in Marcia
Franconia District School Board Candidate Marcia C. St. John-Cunning Launching Write-In Campaign After Being Disqualified from the Ballot
Franconia, VA, Oct. 28, 2023
More than 3,000 Franconia registered voters had cast their ballots as of October 25, 2023, when a judge disqualified school board candidate Marcia C. St. John-Cunning’s printed name on the ballot based on a typo on one of her petition signature forms. Removing a candidate from the ballot after voting had begun is unprecedented. Ms. Marcia C. St. John-Cunning is continuing her candidacy and is launching a robust write-in campaign.
“I am going to keep running because I am passionate about what I have been doing for the past 25 years. This is not a political move for me. I love our teachers, and our families in Franconia District. So I am proud to say that I am still running to be your representative on the school board. I am running on a platform where every student in every zip code counts. This unprecedented ruling only amplifies my message - every vote cast by every Franconia District resident counts. I trust my community and we will triumph,” said Fairfax County, Franconia District School Board Candidate Marcia C. St. John-Cunning.
The Fairfax County GOP is causing voter confusion and disenfranchisement as early voting continues.
Today, one voter emailed the campaign:
“Ms. St. John-Cunning. I am incensed over the eleventh-hour Republican ploy to disqualify you from the November 7 election ballot. This is simply ridiculous and anti-democratic. For what it's worth, I voted early yesterday at the West Springfield Government Center. Your name was still on the ballot, which is interesting because the ballot was printed out at the site (it wasn't an old one that was left over). This means that whatever order there may have been to strike your name from the ballot was not yet being carried out.
Of course, I voted for you. Had your name not been on the ballot, I would have written your name in. I am letting you know this because I fear that, in the event that votes cast for you in early voting will somehow be disqualified (can they do that?), my vote for you AFTER the judge's order may be similarly disqualified, even though I had every intention of voting for you one way or the other. I will be available, and eager, to participate in any challenge that may relate to a negation of my vote. I am so sorry that you have to deal with this, and I'm wishing you all the best.”
Here are the Facts:
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1. Marcia was certified as a qualified candidate back on March 7, 2023. Just days ago, she was disqualified based on an immaterial technicality on her paperwork, after it had been certified by the Fairfax County Registrar months ago.
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2. Over 3,000 people have already voted in this race and now their votes won’t count.
After 24 years of working for Fairfax County Public Schools, Marcia is seeking the open seat in the Franconia District for the Fairfax County School Board. The foundation of our country is our strong public school system, and she is committed to improving academics, the development of the whole child, to supporting educators, staff, parents and community engagement, and assuring equity and inclusion.
About Marcia
After 24 years of working for Fairfax County Public Schools, I am seeking the open seat in the Franconia District for the Fairfax County School Board. The foundation of our county is our strong public school system and I am committed to improving academics, the development of the whole child, to supporting educators, staff, parents and community engagement, and assuring equity and inclusion.
