Roughly 2,200 Dranesville District voters could get a new polling place under a Fairfax County proposal to split the Coates precinct, which has exceeded the state's 5,000-voter limit.

The new precinct, called Coppermine, would cover the southern half of the Coates precinct in the McNair area south of Herndon, FFXnow first reported. Voters assigned to Coppermine would cast ballots at Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road.

The Coates precinct has more than 7,500 registered voters, according to county staff. Virginia law caps precincts at 5,000 registered voters. Voters who remain in the Coates precinct would keep polling at Coates Elementary School.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Dec. 8 to take feedback on the Coppermine proposal and several other precinct changes across the county.

What it costs

County staff estimate each new precinct carries a one-time cost of $29,653 and annual recurring costs of $9,224, according to the staff memo cited by FFXnow.

Bigger package of changes

Coppermine is one of two new precincts in the proposal. The other, Reston #4, would split off parts of the Cameron Glen and Reston #1 precincts in the Hunter Mill District. Those precincts have 5,484 and 5,445 registered voters, respectively. Reston #4 would use the Reston Teen Center at 12196 Sunset Hills Road and cover about 2,449 voters, according to the staff memo.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn's office said the Reston #4 proposal was originally scheduled for review in June 2025. A special election to fill the late Rep. Gerry Connolly's congressional seat delayed it.

The broader package also includes polling-place relocations in the Mason and Providence districts and a small boundary adjustment in the Sully District affecting 27 voters.

What happens next

The board authorized the Dec. 8 public hearing at its Oct. 27 meeting. If supervisors approve an ordinance after the hearing, the Virginia attorney general must still issue a Certification of No Objection. That review could take up to 60 days, according to FFXnow.

Residents can check their current precinct through the Fairfax County Office of Elections or by calling 703-222-0776.