Reston League of Women Voters Volunteer Honored by County

Reston resident Sidney Johnson has been honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors with the Barbara Varon Award.

The award is annually given to a county resident who shows “dedication to improving the community through volunteer service.” Varon was the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board.

Johnson serves as the Voter Service coordinator for the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax area. Her role includes overseeing the publication of Facts for Voters, a directory of Fairfax area public officials and government offices; the Voters’ Guide, published in The Fairfax Times; and a handout which includes all of the candidates and issues on the ballot.

Johnson, in her volunteer position as Voter Service Chair for three years, has organized and participated in many voter registration drives as well as in a variety of voter outreach projects, says the League of Women Voters.

Said the League in a release:

[Johnson] reached out to a variety of diverse groups to increase voter participation and has been especially passionate about getting underrepresented citizens engaged in activities that are civic, including voting,” the league said in a release. “She has coordinated and overseen the publication of various voter guides such as FACTS for VOTERS, the Voters’ Guides, and a handout that lists all issues as well as candidates on the ballots. 

This year, Sidney organized 13 Meet and Greet Candidate Forums throughout Fairfax County, with the help of volunteers. These forums aimed to inform the public and give voters an opportunity to meet and interact with the candidates as well as to learn their positions on the important issues.

In an attempt to reach more voters, Sidney helped organize the first televised Meet and Greet forums for the candidates for the Senate, House of Delegates, Sheriff, Clerk of the Court, and Soil and Water Commissioners.

Sidney has demonstrated Barbara Varon’s dedication and contributions of time and energy for many community causes and who “fought for the rights and privileges of all citizens to participate in the electoral process” and richly deserves this Award.