For 22 years, Jeff Greenfield has served as a Fairfax City councilman; but in the May 3 election, he was edged out by three votes. In the official totals, he received 1816 votes and Councilwoman Nancy Loftus, 1819.
Initially, he wasn’t planning to ask for a recount. But now – urged by some four dozen people to do so, and in the wake of a negative, anonymous attack on him – he’s decided to seek a recount, after all. He explained why during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
“I believe the voters were duped because of the negative campaigning 36 hours before election day,” said Greenfield. “I’ve never seen that level of it in my 49 years here, and the misinformation and mudslinging was appalling to me.”
On Tuesday, a press release was disseminated, door-to-door, incorrectly saying he was going to “sue” Fairfax County Circuit Court for a recount. “I’m not suing,” he said during the May 10 meeting. “I’m petitioning for a recount – and that’s only because dozens and dozens of people reached out to me and asked me to.
“This isn’t about any, one individual,” continued Greenfield. “It’s about ensuring that the integrity of the election process was followed. We now have paper ballots, so there are opportunities for voters to make a mistake. And two [disabled] people I know weren’t offered the use of a machine for ADA accommodations and had challenges to vote.”
Saying he was “troubled by the inaccurate press release,” he said it stated that the City would have to pay for the recount. But, said Greenfield, “It’s paid for by the Commonwealth of Virginia.” And it’s important, he said, because “There are only three votes between us now.”
“The difference is .03 percent, so it’s extremely close,” added Mayor Scott Silverthorne. “And the voters, and both candidates, need to be sure that the information was accurate.”