Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫
@jeanthoensen.bsky.social
Virginia elections maven 🏛️, election administrator 🗳, no-code developer 👩💻, and lifelong college student 🎓
she/her/hers
she/her/hers
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)
Are you ready for the best deals of the year?
Black Friday sale is on!
Up to 45% off our most loved sensors, only once a year, only while stock lasts.
Dive in here: bit.ly/BFAranet
Black Friday sale is on!
Up to 45% off our most loved sensors, only once a year, only while stock lasts.
Dive in here: bit.ly/BFAranet
November 20, 2025 at 12:47 PM
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)
This has got to be some bizarre autocomplete on my phone.
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 AM
This has got to be some bizarre autocomplete on my phone.
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. 🗳️☑️
November 4, 2025 at 9:26 AM
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. 🗳️☑️
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!
All early voting locations are open this weekend:
🗳️Saturday, Oct. 25: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
🗳️Sunday, Oct. 26: 1 to 5 p.m.
View current wait times and locations here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/elections/early-voting/wait-times
🗳️Saturday, Oct. 25: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
🗳️Sunday, Oct. 26: 1 to 5 p.m.
View current wait times and locations here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/elections/early-voting/wait-times
October 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
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!
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!
In-person early voting expands to 13 more locations across the county today!
These new locations will be open from 1-7 p.m.
We also have Saturday and Sunday voting this weekend.
Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/early-voting-begins-friday-november-general-election
These new locations will be open from 1-7 p.m.
We also have Saturday and Sunday voting this weekend.
Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/early-voting-begins-friday-november-general-election
October 23, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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!
Most mothers feel this so hard.
"Your kid needs an updated dental form ASAP. So if you can fax that over or bring it to pick-up, that would be fantastic. I am asking you and not your husband because you are a master ace of paper and fluoride and knowing your kid’s birthdate and not because you’re female."
This Is Your Kid’s School and Even Though the Emergency Contact Form Lists Your Husband, We Need You, the Mom
Hello, this is your kid’s school calling. So, your kid said her daddy dropped her off today. I could still see him if I stepped outside, but I know...
buff.ly
October 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Most mothers feel this so hard.
🤞🏻
Fairfax County workers could soon ratify first labor agreement in decades
Fairfax County workers could soon ratify first labor agreement in decades | FFXnow
Librarians, social workers and other Fairfax County government employees could approve their first union contract in decades later this week. The Fairfax County Government Employees Union reached a tentative...
www.ffxnow.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
🤞🏻
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.
October 13, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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.
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.
October 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
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.
Voted in my first union contract election this morning, and so glad to get an “I Voted” sticker! 🤞🏻 for a win!
October 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Voted in my first union contract election this morning, and so glad to get an “I Voted” sticker! 🤞🏻 for a win!
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.
September 22, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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.
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.
September 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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.
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!
September 20, 2025 at 1:02 AM
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!
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!
September 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM
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!
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.
September 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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.
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!
September 1, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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!
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?
August 28, 2025 at 11:09 PM
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?
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.
More than 1800 ballots have been cast so far after three days of early voting for the 11th Congressional District Special Election.
Details on early voting, voting absentee by mail and more: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/early-voting-through-sept-6-11th-congressional-district-special-election
Details on early voting, voting absentee by mail and more: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/early-voting-through-sept-6-11th-congressional-district-special-election
July 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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.
I am laughing out loud. This is fantastic!
"Just because I’m not on the keyboard—and you have to add two extra steps for me to appear correctly—I’m suddenly the product of some soulless technology?"
The Em Dash Responds to the AI Allegations
“In recent months, a curious fixation has emerged in corners of academia: the em dash. More specifically, the apparent moral panic around how it is...
buff.ly
July 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I am laughing out loud. This is fantastic!
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.
Early voting begins this Friday, 7/25, for the 11th Congressional District Special Election.
🗳️Fairfax County Government Center, 8 am-4:30 pm
🗳️North County Governmental Center (Reston), 1-7 pm
Only voters in the district are eligible to vote: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting
🗳️Fairfax County Government Center, 8 am-4:30 pm
🗳️North County Governmental Center (Reston), 1-7 pm
Only voters in the district are eligible to vote: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting
July 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
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.
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.
July 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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.
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.
July 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
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.
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.
I can understand why traditional conservatives like Marc Fisher (🎁 link) are perplexed that the Trump admin would target my employer, @georgemasonu.bsky.social. But remember that the Trump admin is not conservative--it's populist. GMU is a target rich environment for populists.
🧵1/7 wapo.st/44OG4GD
🧵1/7 wapo.st/44OG4GD
Opinion | Why attack colleges? To open students’ minds or blow up institutions?
George Mason University makes no sense as a target for the Trump administration.
wapo.st
July 16, 2025 at 5:11 PM
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.
@mschmidtrva.bsky.social makes an insightful case for how the administration is now targeting George Mason University, one of the most diverse student bodies of any U.S. university. What’s even more chilling is that @georgemasonu.bsky.social is PUBLIC and the largest university in Virginia.
July 16, 2025 at 1:52 PM
@mschmidtrva.bsky.social makes an insightful case for how the administration is now targeting George Mason University, one of the most diverse student bodies of any U.S. university. What’s even more chilling is that @georgemasonu.bsky.social is PUBLIC and the largest university in Virginia.
I watched the candidate forum hosted for Virginia’s 11th CD firehouse primary. There were 9 thoughtful, respectful, intelligent people on that stage. Only one wins tonight, but there’s a deep bench. I hope to see these people run for many more offices!
June 29, 2025 at 2:18 AM
I watched the candidate forum hosted for Virginia’s 11th CD firehouse primary. There were 9 thoughtful, respectful, intelligent people on that stage. Only one wins tonight, but there’s a deep bench. I hope to see these people run for many more offices!