Jean Thoensen 🗳🎓🍫
@jeanthoensen.bsky.social
Virginia elections maven 🏛️, election administrator 🗳, no-code developer 👩💻, and lifelong college student 🎓
she/her/hers
she/her/hers
I second this.
For the sake of my sanity I'm just gonna need everything to get about 75% less stupid please and thank you.
January 5, 2026 at 12:11 AM
I second this.
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?
January 1, 2026 at 5:33 AM
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?
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.
December 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
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.
🔥🔥🔥
My end-of-term slide deck summarizing the state of US politics includes this gem:
December 9, 2025 at 11:18 AM
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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.
December 8, 2025 at 7:52 PM
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.
Some cool GIS work to serve our residents needing food or wanting to help!
#ICYMI Our county developed a new tool to help people support food distributions in their communities
The Emergency Food Access Providers Application allows users to see which distribution sites need donations and the types of donations
Check it out: https://ow.ly/UYT350XAVPA
The Emergency Food Access Providers Application allows users to see which distribution sites need donations and the types of donations
Check it out: https://ow.ly/UYT350XAVPA
December 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Some cool GIS work to serve our residents needing food or wanting to help!
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.
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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
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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!