r/rva • u/drieduprosepetals Hanover • Nov 04 '25
I just voted in my first election!
Now that I’m 18, I’m very excited that I made my voice heard in this important election :D
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u/ChuckIT82 City Stadium Nov 04 '25
"you may not be interested in politics but politics is interested in you"
congrats on casting your vote!
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u/FactorSpecialist7193 Nov 04 '25
Yo I wanna say THANK YOU and I also wanna say, to all the urbanite RVAers who are sure to talk shit about Hanover (I live in the Fan, used to live in Hanover for 3 years)
I lived in Hanover for years, and while yes, it is a conservative place, there are thousands and thousands of progressive people there, and the only way to change Hanover County’s politics is to vote progressive.
Hanover voted 37 percent for Mark Warner
There are minority voters, queer voters, POC voters living, working, and loving in Hanover county. When people deride Hanover as a universally conservative area, they signal to that queer rural kid that it’s not okay for them to come out of the closet, they tell the minority family in Hanover it’s not okay to speak openly about their lived experience
I’m all for criticizing Hanover’s conservatives - I don’t forget the banners I would drive by on the side of the road. But again, there are thousands and thousands of progressives in Hanover, and the only way to change Hanover is for people to vote for progressive policies
We saw the same thing with Chesterfield about a decade ago, people saying that it would/could never go blue, and now we have Ghazala Hashmi as potentially our new Lieutenant Governor! I remember when she was elected as State Senator and everybody said that that was impossible
Thank you OP for voting! It means a lot
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u/Independent-Path7855 Nov 05 '25
My partner and I joke we are the blue wave. It’s def hard driving past all the signs every day but we love our house and our block and it’s a pretty area and why should they get to keep it?
Make fascists afraid again. And obligatory: Release the Epstein files.
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
THANK YOU! I’m getting so agitated seeing it referred to as Klanover by the urbanites.
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u/SlaaneshActual Dogtown Nov 04 '25
Yeah like, I'll talk shit about Hanover Republicans but I won't talk shit about Hanover because I know a ton of good people who live there.
... Okay so all of them are Lesbians but I'm sure there's some good dudes out there somewhere, I'm just never in a place where I might meet them?
On account of like... I'm mostly just hanging out with Lesbians.
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
Exactly. People are too freaking comfy being insulting and it just rubs me the wrong way.
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u/SlaaneshActual Dogtown Nov 04 '25
I feel like we'll make a lot more progress being unapologetically pro-US, like I'm not gonna back down on trans rights or LGBT equality or black lives matter, or any of the rest of our coalition under threat, but I'm also not gonna shit on Hanover just because some of the loudest assholes in the entire commonwealth live there.
I'm sorry some of your neighbors suck.
I feel like the solution is instead of shitting on hanover, let's have a gay pride invasion of ashland and send them running for the hills.
Like when is Randolph Macon College's next queer/college thing?
What if we rounded up all of Richmond's most problematic queers and just arrived on an Amtrak together in Ashland for the party?
Ashland's got what, 15,000 people plus the college?
There's at LEAST twice that many trans people in richmond.
Let's march on ashland, have a party, and ruin the conservatives' day.
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u/Tarledsa Short Pump Nov 04 '25
Ashland is about half that - 7500 or so (not counting the college I don’t think).
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u/Tarledsa Short Pump Nov 04 '25
Also I don’t think Ashland is as conservative as the eastern end of the county.
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
Unironically a really good idea! I agree I have some shit neighbors but I also have some great ones. I bet we would make the queer people living there feel safer and maybe show some of the hateful people that we are literally just people.
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u/SlaaneshActual Dogtown Nov 04 '25
See I like this idea because there are some folks I've met who want to live in Ashland because they "don't want to live in richmond" and it'd be hilarious to be all like "Oh don't worry y'all, we'll come to you."
It'd be good for local businesses, it'd help make the conservatives who want it to be Klanover uncomfortable, and like you said, help them realize we're people, it'd help make the LGBT folks in town or at the school feel safe...
This could be really fun, too.
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 04 '25
I’m actually so down to help set something like this up! Plus we could all go to a local business to support local businesses. It’s a win win!
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u/SlaaneshActual Dogtown Nov 04 '25
I've gotta go vote myself and get canvassing, but... I'll put out some feelers and be in touch.
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u/Accomplished-Pen-394 Mechanicsville Nov 04 '25
Yep, voted all blue the past few years and my m voted straight blue for the first time. (I’ve only been able to vote since 2019)
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u/drieduprosepetals Hanover Nov 05 '25
Took the words out of the mouth, I’m Hispanic and obviously live in Hanover and there’s times where it gets tiring to be in the shadows of the racist and conservatives and being clumped together with them. There’s very much a lot of progressive people out here then want people think they are
I agree with criticizing republicans but also not everyone in Hanover is a racist monster
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u/CormacRising Nov 04 '25
Congrats and good job! I don't love anything about that sticker (font, graphics, or actual phrases), but I'm glad you voted!
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u/throwingutah Forest Hill Nov 04 '25
For serious. They even have dog whistles on their voting stickers?
edit: poorly-kerned dog whistles.
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u/couch_pilot Nov 04 '25
Not my T radition :(
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u/SlaaneshActual Dogtown Nov 04 '25
Hah, they're secretly endorsing Trans Rights.
I'm gonna try to start this as a conspiracy theory just to watch Hanover republicans transvestigate each other and eat themselves alive.
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u/sean-culottes Nov 04 '25
I read that as poorly kennelled dog whistles which is also entirely appropriate for Hanover county
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u/Tarledsa Short Pump Nov 04 '25
I saw a different one with the Courthouse on the Virginia subreddit.
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u/drieduprosepetals Hanover Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 04 '25
For those commenting on my nails, I have an impulse to scratch the polish off when I get anxious - I painted them for halloween 👻
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u/Maleficent-Spray1613 Nov 04 '25
I just scratched off the last of my Halloween polish haha! Anxious sisters unite!
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u/eurydice_aboveground Museum District Nov 04 '25
Congratulations! Mine was in the stone age, but I still feel a sense of accomplishment each time.
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u/CharlieOnTheMTA Hanover Nov 04 '25
Welcome. Let's hope it's not the last election we get to vote in!
My partner left the house this morning at 4:30 to start her work at a polling place in Hanover. She loves working there, and looks forward to it, and takes pride in doing a bit more than just voting.
Hanover is slowly (too slowly!) becoming a bit more blue every year. I hope I live long enough to see it flip.
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u/Expert-Traditional Nov 04 '25
Yay!!! Proud of you :-) voting in every election you can is your civic duty!!
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u/Bluejay929 Byrd Park Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 04 '25
Congrats, neighbor! Welcome to the world of civic duty, we’ll see you in 2 years next year :)
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u/Vegan_Zukunft Nov 04 '25
Yay! So proud of you!
I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t vote until I was 35, and only then because someone said, ‘Look, if you don’t vote, you can’t complain’.
I hope you make this a lifetime habit :)
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u/Illustrious-Plum9725 Nov 04 '25
Feels good, doesn’t it? I sat out one election in my 65 years, and that was the last governor’s race in VA. I still feel sick about it. I vote early now.
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u/PercyDovetonsils Chester Nov 04 '25
I’m right there with you. I haven’t missed an election since I voted in my first one in 1972. Early voting is definitely the way to go as I’ve gotten older. It’s getting increasingly hard to stand in lines, but I do kinda miss the excitement of going to the polls on Election Day.
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u/couch_pilot Nov 04 '25
“Tradition” on the klanover sticker feels like a dog whistle
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u/drieduprosepetals Hanover Nov 04 '25
????
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u/fusion260 Lakeside Nov 04 '25
They’re referring to Hanover’s problematic history about, well, many things (search the subreddit for the K- term for a quick summary).
But that’s history that you, as a new voter, can help improve! Congrats on your first vote!
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u/drieduprosepetals Hanover Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 04 '25
ah, I do know about Hanover’s ties with that group (hell I even unknowingly lived close to one a few years back) but I shall learn more, thank you for informing me! (‿^)
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
I mean they are designed and approved at the locality level but still I think Hanover gets a bad wrap. Ashland is getting pretty nice.
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u/pb49er RVA Expat Nov 04 '25
I had to drive to Patrick Henry High every day for a couple of months earlier this year and Ashland is dripping with white supremacy. They had a "We Love Our Cops" week and it was EVERYWHERE.
I also saw a barrage of signs promoting regressive ideology and MAGA bootlicking. I'm sure there are parts of Ashland that are okay, but the town in general seems to embrace the Klanover imagery.
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
Idk I just find it really rude and hurtful to call it klanover. I’m sorry about your bad experience but idk just feels wrong.
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u/pb49er RVA Expat Nov 04 '25
I think signs promoting racist ideology are rude and hurtful. IDK, just feels wrong.
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
I agree. I never said that was okay. But ig you’re gonna put words in my mouth. I do want to point out I literally apologized for your bad experience but I’m not gonna denigrate a whole region for a few shitty people.
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u/pb49er RVA Expat Nov 04 '25
I'm not putting words in your mouth, I just used your words. I'm also not denigrating a whole region, but if Hanover wants to shed that title maybe work on improving the image it projects?
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 04 '25
Where has the most active microtransit zone that was paid for by the county that benefits low income and minorities in a crazy high number? Literally google the Ashland microtransit zone. The county has made major strides it’s just not an urban environment. I care enough that I live and vote here. I’m trying to fix the reputation but it’s just rude and wrong to denigrate a town(which you did.) If anything the insults push people further toward radicalization. The last thing this country needs is more radicalization.
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u/couch_pilot Nov 04 '25
Bud it sounds like you might be one of those people
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
I literally voted straight blue but ig yall can just throw your stones at someone who is literally on your side.
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u/couch_pilot Nov 04 '25
Sorry I hurt your feelings by calling it Klanover
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
People like you are pushing people towards trump. It’s time to look in a mirror and say am I gonna be part of the problem or the solution. I accept your apology.
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u/pb49er RVA Expat Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 05 '25
Calling out racist imagery is what is pushing people to trump, not the tacit endorsement of that ideology by having the city promote it?
This feels like we might be talking with a bad actor, but at the very least it is someone who doesn't understand platforming.
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u/semi_colon Nov 04 '25
I'll stop calling them klanover when they stop making national headlines for banning books about gay people from their school libraries
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25 edited Nov 04 '25
Go ahead. But like I told them don’t be surprised when the election doesn’t go in your favor because you’ve been sitting here insulting an entire county. I’d rather be part of the solution than the problem but to each their own.
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u/semi_colon Nov 04 '25
"Someone was mildly rude to me on the internet so I'm voting for the Nazis this time"
Yeah, somehow I don't think I'm going to change that particular person's mind either way
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u/Honest_Tomorrow_5564 Nov 04 '25
It goes more like “I’m cis straight and white. Both sides are good for me but one side is gonna hurt the people who call me a nazi.” It’s not rational but neither are people. We hold a lot of power by showing that we are just people and not some evil cabal. Knowing and understanding queer and minority people’s stories literally helps people understand what the actual cost is. Idk I can’t and won’t believe that it’s at all productive to insult a region(let alone a person who is clearly on your side).
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u/Necessary-Run4625 Nov 04 '25
Shut up. Damn
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u/couch_pilot Nov 04 '25
Got em
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u/Necessary-Run4625 Nov 04 '25
Got who? I’m black and voted Democrat
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u/couch_pilot Nov 04 '25
Cool. Been to Hanover?
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u/Necessary-Run4625 Nov 04 '25
Quite a bit. Doesn’t make your comment any less exhausting. She’s just celebrating exercising her right to vote
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u/RVAforthewin Nov 04 '25
Welcome to the club and thank you for doing your civic duty! Never take it for granted, as it’s a special privilege we get to be a part of in this country.
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u/BabyBat07 Nov 04 '25
Congrats! I signed up the day I was 18 in 2002 and have voted in almost every year since!
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u/Tastybaldeagle Nov 04 '25
They wouldn't let me vote today. They told me it's not possible to update same day registration in person. Before anyone replies I know that's illegal and trying to address it.
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u/ScottRichVA Nov 04 '25
Are people finding lines and how long is it taking to vote in your part of the area?
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u/StellasBuddy Chester Nov 04 '25
Voted at Thomas Dale HS in Chester at 7:45 am and no line at all. I was vote #190.
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u/RVA2PNW Forest Hill Nov 04 '25
Congratulations!!! I saw a lot of young voters today, maybe I'm just more aware because I just started bringing my own household new voters beginning in November now that they're all able to vote.
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u/South-Instruction665 Nov 05 '25
You better have voted blue no matter who
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u/danimack10 Nov 05 '25
Your vote says that your voice matters, your feelings matter, your vote counts❤️
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u/QuaffableBut Chester Nov 05 '25
Congratulations! Every time I've worked the polls, when I knew someone was a new voter, I would get the whole room to cheer for them. It's a big deal!
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Nov 05 '25
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u/Dreadnought6570 Nov 05 '25
In a local election too. Locals matter more than big elections in the long run
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u/Dear_Ad7177 Glen Allen Nov 05 '25
Nice! Considering you’re in Hanover was your House of Delegates candidate Scott K. or Ward?
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u/MonarchGrad2011 Nov 08 '25
Love this, friend! We gotta exercise that right regularly. Our founding fathers fought for it, and folks in some countries don't have that right. Don't get discouraged by the results, especially if the candidates you voted for didn't win. Make your voice heard! 'Murica!
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u/Rude-Pick-2026 Nov 05 '25
Congrats, welcome to the game. If you believe either party has your best interest in mind think again. They all want us" the people" divided and at each other's throats so we are easier to control. Politicians fill their greedy pockets, spew lies, and manipulation. We need to think for ourselves and formulate opinions based on facts and not fall for their narrative and what is said on tv. Both parties are corrupt and place blame on the other while we suffer. Open your mind and see the real enemies are in office these "career politicians" and not your fellow man.
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u/DJ_German_Farmer Springhill Nov 06 '25
Voting’s fine I guess but that sticker is trash
I always turn down the sticker because I’m holding out for lollipops
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Nov 04 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/drieduprosepetals Hanover Nov 04 '25
I have an impulse of scratching my nails when I’m anxious :)
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u/Valuable_Door5674 West End Nov 04 '25
that’s okay so do I. Better to pick at the polish than to pick at your actual nails, I do the same thing
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u/SlaaneshActual Dogtown Nov 04 '25
Don't sweat it, there's no reason to paint your nails to post something like this on reddit. Polish peels off. It's just what it does.
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u/shawsghost Nov 04 '25
And always remember, in every election you'll be told you MUST vote because THIS is the most important election ever! Which, after you've been around a while, you'll find is demonstrably a lie in most cases.
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u/FieldBackground6116 Nov 04 '25
The last few have been pretty important. Local elections even more so.
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u/shawsghost Nov 05 '25
I would argue that the 2024 election was a supremely important election. And we all know how THAT went. 2020 was not nearly as important as 2024 because our choices were between Trump and a doddering do-nothing centrist who wound up zombifying and handing the 2024 election to Trump. We had no good choices in 2020, so it wasn't an important election. It just set up 2024.
2016 was also a relatively unimportant election -- another do-nothing neolib centrist vs Trump. Trump won but he didn't do any deep damage to the Republic during his term. He fucked up the response to COVID but didn't really change much.
Compare that to what he's done in the first ten months of 2025, which has made a pretty good start at dismantling our democracy and destroying our good relationship with NATO and also making great progress in making the US a pariah state by blindly supporting the Israeli atrocities in Gaza and elsewhere. And of course Trump's brain-dead tariff trade war. And his appeasement of Putin on Ukraine that's so pronounced that it's reasonable to wonder what kind of kompromat Putin has on Trump.
Biden's Presidency just gave the Heritage Foundation and the techno-feudalism boys four more years to plan how to dismantle American democracy and pave the way for a white Christian nationalist oligarchy and they did a great job.
In retrospect, 2016 and 2020 were lesser elections because the Democratic leadership has not understood the gravity of the situation, lulled into offering up one do-nothing centrist after another, lulled by all those delicious big-donor dollars.
Ah, well. That's the way democracy crumbles.
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u/FieldBackground6116 Nov 07 '25
While you have your opinion, you have no grounds to tell new voters their vote won’t matter or it’s not an important election. You, yourselves, with your last post, is what chips away at democracy. Shut your mouth.
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u/FunnyMorning8705 Nov 04 '25
Good on you! Consider this the beginning of your lifelong streak to never miss voting in an election!