iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫

Fairfax County Office of Elections @elections.fairfaxcounty.gov · 05/10/2026

As Election Day approaches, voters can be confident that their vote is protected. Comprehensive measures ensure every vote is accurately recorded, safely stored and properly counted. Details: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/protecti…

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

As of 9:38 AM EDT, @cnn.com’s home page and US pages have no mention of the U.S. EAC commissioner firings. Coverage is related to the politics page.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

This seems really bad. The U.S. EAC creates the standards for voting equipment, among many things. Without commissioners, the agency is powerless.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

We watched the NYC fireworks display on TV, and even on TV, it far surpassed anything that might launch into a sodden cloudy sky later tonight in DC. Props to @mayor.nyc.gov and the people of New York for showing us how it’s done!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

To men: “You do not get a cookie for not being a rapist.”

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

I’m getting old. A possible security question suggested by a web site: What was your first Internet search engine?

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Most redistricting and cancelled/postponed elections coverage has not touched on the fact that election offices must prepare for elections even if they don’t happen. You don’t snap your fingers and ballots and tested voting equipment magically appear. Months of planning and work are involved.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

I agree with @maxhailperin.bsky.social that this is likely the private mailbox operator disposing of unclaimed mail. If the investigation(s) bear this out, it’s an excellent of example of how most election “failures” have a rational and non-nefarious explanation.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

How cool is this? Voters can find which location has the shortest wait times to vote early in person for the April 21 special election!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Well, with all the elections this year, I won’t have time to read it for awhile anyway!

Image of “Project Hail Mary,” a science fiction book by Andy Weir. The book cover uses an image from the 2026 film adaptation showing star Ryan Gosling.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Hmmm….schools are dismissing early tomorrow in anticipation of the severe weather expected. This is highly unusual for this area.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Technology is great when it works. I used my iPad to connect to my iPhone from the backseat of a moving car on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Then on to TeamViewer to connect to my father’s iMac in North Carolina to print something for my aunt visiting from California. Amazing.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Here we go again—our 7th election in 7 months. It’s a special election, so things will be slower, but we still have to be in the office at 4:30 AM, ready to support our election officers as they serve today.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

I empathize with the professors and reporters who have to watch the event tonight. I’m glad I have the privilege of not having to watch.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Not a New Yorker, but what a masterclass in constituent communication!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I support @ffxnow.bsky.social. Love their little snark in this article about “what remains of The Washington Post.” Independent newsrooms are where the good reporting and reporters are now. Find yours and support them!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

The Washington Post is now USA Today with an ad right up top on the front page.

Photo of The Washington Post front page from February 8, 2026 showing an ad for T-Mobile above the masthead

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Today’s physical Washington Post: A section of 18 pages and B section of 18 pages. 9 sheets of newsprint per section. I’ve seen plenty of down market papers with more news.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Reshaping Northern Virginia is an understatement. Multiple counties would be split into up to five congressional districts.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

The Virginia State Board of Elections has called meetings on Thursday and Friday this week announced as **EMERGENCY** meetings. That certainly piques my interest.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Hey @gtconway.bsky.social how about stop spamming me with texts when I’ve replied STOP to every other D candidate from the entire country?

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

2026 is going to be a big year: 5-6 elections for the office to handle (three smaller specials; 2-3 full ones). So I had to put countdown widgets for some on my phone for what time I have to be at work at 4:30 AM. Because why not?

A screenshot of four widgets on an iPhone lock screen showing countdown timers to various elections.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

I wrote my first Airtable scripting app using AI. I had to point out a lot of mistakes AI made, but in the end, the solution was faster as I’m still learning JavaScript (plenty of coding background, though). Still, I felt like it was cheating to some degree.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

And off we go for tomorrow’s special election! Chief election officers have begun picking up their supplies and are headed to their precincts for setup.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Some cool GIS work to serve our residents needing food or wanting to help!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

I have these air quality monitors at home and work. Everyone who sees them is intrigued! Besides measuring carbon dioxide, there is also temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. High levels of CO contribute to the spread of airborne illness. (No referral fee—just sharing a fun, healthy thing)

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

This has got to be some bizarre autocomplete on my phone.

Screenshot of a nonsense iPhone reminder app entry to refill shampoo when arriving at work

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

A lovely full moon greeted me in the sky on my way to the office for Election Day. Hope it’s a good omen for high turnout and wide margins. 🗳️☑️

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Too busy during the week to vote early? Shift work makes it impossible to go vote early or on Election Day? Family responsibilities? Fairfax County, Virginia, early voting is open Saturday AND Sunday this weekend! Same day voter registration is available!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Fairfax County really goes above and beyond to make early voting accessible to voters across a very diverse geographic area. We’re a suburban county, but some areas are very dense like a city and some still have a rural character. But it’s easy to find somewhere to vote early—and even after work!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

I just subscribed to the @ffxnow.bsky.social Press Club to support local journalism in my area. Are there independent outlets covering where you live? Consider becoming a paid subscriber to support their reporting.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Something I’m not seeing talked about is private employers dropping retiree group health insurance due to high costs. For 2026, I either add him to my employer group plan, or he shops for Medicare supplement and Part D plans.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Voted in my first union contract election this morning, and so glad to get an “I Voted” sticker! 🤞🏻 for a win!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Pregnant people are always blamed for the outcome. We were “hysterical,” didn’t perform the correct rituals, consumed the wrong thing, didn’t consume the right thing, ad nauseam. Speaking of nausea, being pregnant is HARD, and we still truly know very little about the process of growing a new human.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Early voting started yesterday in Fairfax County and across Virginia. Only Virginia and New Jersey elect governors this fall. We also have races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, and the entire 100-member House of Delegates. The state is often an early indicator for the midterms.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Thanks to the Virginia Department of Health, I was able to get my COVID-19 booster today without a prescription (I’m under 65). CVS didn’t even ask me about my health conditions!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

And off we go! The polls are open in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM to elect a replacement for the late Gerry Connolly. Early voting has been higher than typical for a special election. Should be an interesting day!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Election Day - 6! Next Tuesday, September 9, voters in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District go to the polls to choose a replacement for the late Gerry Connolly. Then we continue prepping for the November gubernatorial election.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Feeling pretty lucky that my local government workplace has a union, @seiuva512.bsky.social. They just got certified as the union to represent employees and are actively bargaining for our first contract. Tentative agreements I’ve seen show a lot of promise!

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

I wonder if there is any possibility of revoking FDA approval for over the counter COVID-19 tests. What do you think, @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social?

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Any voter who lives in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District can vote early now in the special election to fill the seat of the late Gerry Connolly.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

And off we go! The special election to fill the seat of the late Gerry Connolly will be on September 9th. Early voting begins this Friday (Virginia has 45 days of early voting for federal elections). At the same time, we’re prepping for the November gubernatorial election.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

The Office of Elections is one of the first county agencies to join BlueSky, @elections.fairfaxcounty.gov. Lots of messaging to do for the special election on September 9th to fill the 11th Congressional District seat and the November gubernatorial election.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Welcoming Fairfax County, Virginia’s official account to BlueSky! Follow @fairfaxcounty.gov for updates and information. I hope many county agencies will follow with their own accounts soon.

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Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫 @jeanthoensen.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Jennifer Nicoll Victor, Ph.D., @jenvictor.bsky.social, a highly regarded political science at George Mason University, provides more info on the administration’s targeting of @georgemasonu.bsky.social.

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