It may have been a so-called "off-year" election, but residents of McLean and Great Falls displayed their sense of civic duty by turning out in relatively solid numbers to vote.
"It's been pretty busy for a non-presidential election," said Joanne Theon, a volunteer at the Langley High School polling site. "I would have expected it to be kind of slow, but I think these two precincts of Chesterbrook and Langley are pretty knowledgeable about voting."
Theon, who has lived in McLean for 37 years, was at Langley to hand out sample Republican ballots.
Lifelong Democrat and Langley Precinct Captain Lane Macavoy handed out sample Democrat ballots, and described voter turnout as "light but steady."
"I think it's very important that we all get involved because our government affects everything in our environment," said Macavoy. "I have three children, and I feel very strongly about the environment, women's rights, social issues and social justice."
Harold Bondy, a 30-year resident of McLean, felt that voting was the least he could do to honor the efforts of the United States military.
"Some guys are being killed today so I have the privilege to do this, so I think I should do it," said Bondy.
Alexander Smith, a 15-year resident of McLean and originally from Scotland, says that he has an appreciation for his duties as an American.
"I'm a citizen here and it's my obligation," said Smith.
Zahir Farooqi has lived in McLean for 20 years and says that he votes because, "I want the people in power to represent my views."
Langley High School students in the Northern Virginia chapter of Habitat for Humanity took advantage of their day off and set up a bake sale stand to tempt voters as they entered and exited the polling station.
"It's been a lot of fun," said freshman Sophie Gross. "It's actually been pretty good — a lot of people are helping out even if they don't buy anything."
"All of the money raised goes toward buying tools for Habitat for Humanity," added junior Kelsey Larsen.
At Great Falls Elementary School, Nancy Ningard, Maggie DaRocha and Elyse Kingery were on hand to distribute sample ballots to voters.
"It's been very steady, but nothing like last year for the presidential election," said Ningard who volunteers at the polls every year.
Seventeen-year-old Maggie DaRocha, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, has volunteered on Election Day for the last five years.
"I'm not old enough to vote, and I think it's very important for young people to have a political voice in their community because I think a lot of people don't realize how important it is," said DaRocha.
Walter Koechner moved to Great Falls from Loudoun County one year ago and says he showed up to vote because government "has a big influence on the population in terms of taxes, streets and schools."
Robert and Kathryn Kearnen have lived in Great Falls for 30 years. As they walked out of Great Falls Elementary together on Tuesday morning, they discussed why they vote every year.
"You can't complain unless you vote," said Kathryn Kearnen.