The Fairfax County Republican Committee has filed a formal complaint against the county’s Office of Elections, accusing officials of distributing thousands of flawed absentee ballots ahead of several closely watched Virginia elections.
The complaint raises new questions about ballot security in one of the state’s largest and historically Democrat-leaning counties.
Fairfax GOP Chair Katie Gorka sent a letter to the Office of Elections alleging what she called “a MASSIVE election security scandal.”
The letter detailed inconsistencies in how absentee ballots have been handled and returned in the weeks leading up to the November elections.
“As of October 15, 2025, 84,062 voters had been sent absentee ballots, 77,583 in the U.S. Of these ballots which were sent, 29,106 ballots had been returned by mail and 3,366 by dropbox, with 495 absentee ballot recipients voting in-person instead,” Gorka wrote.
“As a result, a large number of incidents may have occurred resulting in violations of the secrecy of ballots.”
Gorka’s letter alleged that design flaws in ballot envelopes could expose voters’ choices, compromising confidentiality and potentially violating state election laws.
These envelope hole punches allow ballot counters and Fairfax County election officials to see into ballots – marked … with Virginia GOP candidates.
It’s right there for you to see. @FairfaxDems cheat in front of your face. https://t.co/kmZp8ADNLf pic.twitter.com/U93T9KEhP0
— NOVA Campaigns (@NoVA_Campaigns) October 16, 2025
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She identified the greatest risk within mail-in voting, citing testimony from Virginia Department of Elections Commissioner Susan Beals before the General Assembly’s Privileges and Elections Committee in 2024.
“The United States Postal Service’s performance is insecure for elections,” Beals had testified on September 4, 2024.
“If I had to name what my biggest concern is for the 2024 general election, it would be the operational performance of the United States Postal Service.”
🚨 BREAKING: Fairfax GOP Chair Katie Gorka has sent a formal letter to election officials exposing a MASSIVE election security scandal!
Here’s what’s happening: Fairfax County’s Office of Elections created mail-in ballot envelopes with a FATAL FLAW – they likely expose how you…
— Fairfax GOP (@FairfaxGOP) October 17, 2025
According to the Fairfax GOP, the design of certain ballot envelopes allows markings or impressions to be visible through the outer layer, potentially revealing selections for specific candidates.
The letter specifically mentioned concern over ballots cast in the attorney general race, where Republican incumbent Jason Miyares is seeking re-election.
Gorka’s letter called for immediate corrective action by county officials, including notifying all affected voters, recommending in-person voting whenever possible, and ensuring strict handling and storage of absentee ballots.
“We request that the Fairfax County Office of Elections acknowledge receiving our official complaint and inform the public as to the next steps they will take to secure the election,” the letter concluded.
🚨 BREAKING: Fairfax GOP Chair Katie Gorka has sent a formal letter to election officials exposing a MASSIVE election security scandal!
Here’s what’s happening: Fairfax County’s Office of Elections created mail-in ballot envelopes with a FATAL FLAW – they likely expose how you… pic.twitter.com/aDGsEH7HWb
— Michelle Maxwell ™ (@MichelleMaxwell) October 18, 2025
Fairfax County, home to more than one million residents, has long been considered a Democratic stronghold in Virginia.
However, concerns about election integrity have grown among local Republicans amid record numbers of absentee ballots and extended early voting periods.
Virginia’s 45-day early voting period began on September 19 and runs through November 1.
Voters have until October 24 to request mail-in ballots.
The controversy comes as both statewide and local elections in Virginia attract national attention.
The 2025 gubernatorial race between Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears has been closely watched across the country.
The attorney general race has drawn even more scrutiny following revelations that Democrat nominee Jay Jones sent violent text messages referencing political opponents.
In one of the messages, Jones wrote that “Gilbert gets two bullets to the head” and went on to express wishes for harm against his opponents’ children.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation, including from within his own party.
Since the messages surfaced, Jones’ campaign has faltered, and recent polling shows Attorney General Jason Miyares gaining a lead after previously trailing by double digits.
The Fairfax County Office of Elections has not yet responded publicly to the GOP’s complaint.
The FBI and Virginia Department of Elections have not announced any parallel investigations, though election monitors expect the issue to remain under review as early voting continues through the final week before Election Day.