Election Results

I thank the hundreds of Neabsco residents who voted for me. You voted for common sense; you voted for change, new ideas, and new energy. You voted despite the fact that voting machines throughout the Neabsco District did not work properly. I also thank the many voters outside the Neabsco District who cast a ballot for me. There were many other voters who cast a ballot for other write-in candidates. This is a reflection of citizens’ dissatisfaction with candidate choices on the ballot.

Voters who did not vote for me simply did not know me. They may not even realize that they voted to increase their own tax rates more than necessary. Our local economy is in shambles. It will continue to deteriorate given the national economy and will be exacerbated by the many wrong decisions the PWC Board of Supervisors is making. The housing market will continue to unravel over the next 15 months, compounded by a tight credit market. Property values have dropped 20% and will continue to adjust downward, generating less revenue for our schools, health and public safety. Families who bought homes at the height of the housing bubble will continue to struggle to keep a roof over their heads. In the meantime, energy costs and other consumer goods prices will continue to go up. Over the next four years, ALL county residents will pay for the bad decisions of our elected local government.

As an organization, our commitment is to continue the work we started. Here are some of the major accomplishments over the period of two short weeks. We articulated a clear campaign message. We put together a political organization with representation from all sectors of our community. We raised funds from supporters. We maximized opportunities to disseminate our message via earned media in English and Spanish. We mobilized the grassroots. We produced and distributed materials, including 2,500 lawn signs.

We will be meeting to strategize for the future. Our work must not stop, and there is much for us to do. Next time, our name will be on the ballot. If you have meeting space suggestions, please contact me. As soon as we secure the meeting space and date, we will send you a message. So, please stay tuned.

There were many people working for the campaign; many I personally know; many I met along the way; and many I want to have the opportunity to meet. Those of you I have not met yet, you are pretty special people, please keep in touch. I could not have made it
without the support, advice, and hard work from everyone. My love and gratitude to all, especially to the following individuals, families, and donors:

The Incredible Team of Volunteers who distributed flyers and installed 2,500 lawn signs all over the Neabsco District, including some outside the district.

Rita Aguilar
German Anaya
Carlos Aragon
Rudy Arredondo
Pedro Aviles
Vilma Belen
George Brown
Ricardo Cabellos
Alice Cardona
Jim Carr
John Chamberlain
Tulio & Maureen Diaz
Eileen Diaz McConnell
Katherine Culliton
Gloria Feldt
Alphonso Gibbs
Jamie Goodson
Sonia Gutierrez
Pam Hampton
Francisco Henriquez
Alex Juarez
Ricardo Juarez
Jon Liss
Eduardo Lopez
Rafael Lopez
Nancy Lyall
Juan Mata
Bill Mehr
Nelson Merchan
Alexis Panameño
Omar Panameño
Tammy Panameño
Tely Panameño
Veronica Panameño
Manes Pierre
Luis & Denita Ramirez
Lisa Ransom
Andrew Rivera
Estuardo Rodriguez
Ricardo Sanchez
Carlos Soles
Tim Sandos
Doris Sorto
Steve Smith
John Steinbach
Erik Strangeways
Santiago Tavara
Walter Tejada
The Acebedos
The Currans
The Foersters
The Mays
The Taylors
Gustavo Torres
Ellias Ullah
Marta Urquilla and Jomo Graham
Rebecca Villalpando
Edwin Vizcardo

Hector, Yanira, Maribel, Marta Elena, and all of the wonderful people I did not have a chance to see on election day. The attorneys and observers who came.

Thanks to all the restaurant and business owners who supported us.

Thanks to all of you who prayed and kept us in your thoughts. Special thanks to the religious leaders who truly believe in our cause and acted on it.

Thanks to all the journalists who covered our story, especially to those who provided continuous coverage and who came out to Woodbridge and Dale City.

El Comercio, Univision and El Tiempo Latino were there to document the incompetence of our electoral systems, from the filing of candidacy to the failures of the voting machines at the polls.

CNN en Español
EFE
El Comercio
El Pregonero
El Tiempo Latino
Facetas
La Razon
La Voz de Ameria
Metro Latino USA
NPR’s Tell Me More
Radio Fiesta
Radio La Campeona
Radio Zol 99.1
Telemundo
The Potomac News
The Washington Post
Univision
Washington Hispanic
WTOP’s Mark My Words with Mark Plotkin

Apologies to all whose names I have forgotten to include. This was a major team effort. Without your support, we would not have achieved much.

Thanks to the faculty and my teams from John Hopkins University for their understanding and patience.

Finally, thanks to my employer, supervisors, and work colleagues, who allowed me to take time off from work to do what I believe in. Timing could not have been worse; yet, they did without me for these period of time.

Abrazos y besos to all,

Aracely

Join us!

El Rinconcito Latino
4112 Dale Blvd, Woodbridge 22193
Contact Information: 703-580-1194

Today is Election Day and we’re relying on you to help us staff the polls and inform voters how to vote for Aracely Panameno as a “write-in” candidate.

Below is a checklist of materials and information you should have on hand with you. If you can, please bring extra copies.

• List of Neabsco District Voting Precincts
• Sample Ballot
• Write-in Voting Instructions
• Voter Empowerment Cards
• Voter Hotline Numbers

It’s raining out there, so bring an umbrella or two and dress warmly.

The sun is out, but it’s still cold out there! Nothing like voting under blue skies!

See you tonight at 7 pm at el Rinconcito Latino!

Michel Martin, host of Tell Me More, visited Prince William County on Friday to talk with Aracely Panameno. Listen to the interview that aired today on NPR.

ELECTION DAY HOTLINES

Virginia ACLU: 804-644-8080

Virginia NAACP: 804-321-5678

Call the hotlines IF:

• You or anyone you know has difficulties voting on November 6
• You observe another person encountering a problem while voting

The ACLU of Virginia and the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP would like to know of any and all instances of problems with voting.  These include, but are not limited to:

• being told you need an ID
• not receiving assistance when requested
• being told to remove or hide political apparel (e.g. buttons, stickers, t-shirts)

If you have a problem or incident to report, please call 804-644-8080 / 804-321-5678 or email acluva@acluva.org with the following information:

• your name and contact information
• the location/polling place of the incident
• a detailed description of the problem you encountered

English Cards

Spanish Cards

We NEED you to commit to volunteer at a precinct tomorrow, November 6. Polls open at 6 am and close at 7 pm. See below for precincts.

If you can sign up for a time slot (2-hour minimium) let us know. Ideal time slots are 6 – 9 am, 9 am – 12 pm, 12 – 3 pm, and 3 – 7 pm.

Call 202-361-2632 or 703-217-2228

Neabsco Precincts 

• Precincts in Green need Volunteers
• Precincts in Red are Staffed

Dale Precinct (601) – Dale City Elementary School, 14450 Brook Dr

Neabsco Precinct (602) – Neabsco Elementary School, 3800 Cordell Av

Godwin Precinct (603) – Godwin Middle School, 14800 Darbydale Av

Civic Center Precinct (604) – Dale City Civic Center, 14730 Birchdale Ave

Minnieville Precint (605) – Minnieville Elementary School, 13639 Greenwood Dr

Bel Air Precinct (606) – Bel Air Elementary School, 14151 Ferndale Rd

Kerrydale Precinct (606) – Kerrydale Elementary School, 13199 Kerrydale Rd

Enterprise Precinct (607) – Enterprise Elementary School, 13900 Lindendale Rd