The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area held its annual meeting on April 23 in Fairfax. Cameron Sasnett, General Registrar, Fairfax County’s Office of Elections, gave the keynote speech titled "What's Next in Elections? Bridging 21st Century Technology with Democratic Principles."

His office is working on making improvements to the voter registration process by the use of technology, so all citizens can participate in voting during elections. The office serves all residents including senior citizens, baby boomers, and millennials. There are 74.4 million millennials and 75.9 million baby boomers.

While many have grown up using paper registration forms and ballots, the millennials have grown up using technology. In 2020 for the first time, millennials will be eligible to run for President of the country. The new generation of voters can be reached through Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. Although voters can use an account-based login to manage and update his or her information, Sasnett predicts that it will take several decades before the country will move to a completely virtual, online voting system.

In the meantime, photo identifications from the Department of Motor Vehicles are keeping the lines moving during elections because they can be scanned. His office is also working to scan important paper records because these types of records currently occupy a space that is the size of two ballrooms.

In addition to listening to the keynote address, the attendees elected the following as officers for 2017-2019: Judy Helein, co-president, and Betty Ellerbee, secretary. The following were elected as directors: Peggy Knight (at large); Carol Bursik, membership; Adarsh Trehan, public relations; Sidney Johnson, voter services coordinator; and Bob Meredith, voter registration coordinator. Wendy Fox-Grage will serve as co-president.

If interested in reading more about The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area (LWVFA) or joining, visit: www.lwv-fairfax.org. The LWVFA is a nonpartisan political organization, that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. It does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.