Early voting began Friday in Virginia for the state’s 2025 elections, in which voters will decide the next governor, attorney general, all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, and other local races.
Important dates to know
In-person early voting runs from Friday through Nov. 1. The deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is Oct. 24. The deadline to register to vote is also Oct. 24.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by a polling location by noon on Nov. 7 in order to count.
Election Day is Nov. 4. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How to vote
Jurisdictions have varying hours and voting locations. Some jurisdictions have all voters cast ballots at general registrar’s office, and some have satellite voting locations.
Voters can call their city or county elections offices for information about early voting polling locations.
Voters must cast their ballots in the jurisdiction in which they are registered.
To vote by mail, voters need to request a mail ballot at the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Voters do not register with a political party in Virginia. The state allows for same-day voter registration for provisional ballots. If registering after Oct. 25, voters need to go to their local general registrar’s office, satellite early-voting site, or voting precinct on Election Day.
Voters will need an acceptable form of identification, sign an ID confirmation statement at their polling location, or vote with a provisional ballot. Those who use provisional ballots will have until noon on Nov. 7 to deliver a copy of their ID to their jurisdiction’s election board or sign a confirmation statement to have their ballots counted.
What is on the ballot
Virginia is one of two states that hold statewide races in the year following a presidential election.
Candidates for governor include former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R-VA). Spanberger has consistently polled ahead of Earle-Sears throughout the race. President Donald Trump has not officially endorsed the Republican candidate, though he has signaled his support for her.
The two are running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), who is term-limited. Virginia has historically been a bellwether state for gubernatorial races.
In the lieutenant gubernatorial race, voters will decide between Democratic state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and Republican radio host John Reid.
In the attorney general race, Republican incumbent Jason Miyares is seeking reelection and is facing Democratic challenger Jay Jones, an attorney and former state delegate.
All 100 House of Delegates seats are on the ballot. Democrats have a 51-49 majority in the House and are looking to keep it, fighting off Republican candidates running in 83 districts.
BELLWETHER VIRGINIA GOVERNOR RACE ENTERS POST-LABOR DAY STRETCH
“All eyes should be on Virginia as November nears and Democrats fight to defend and expand our majority in the House of Delegates,” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams said in a statement. “The DLCC’s new seven-figure investment and expansion of Spotlight candidates comes as Virginia Democrats have undeniable momentum – from outraising their opponents to a record-breaking ground game. As Republicans break promises and raise costs, state Democrats are connecting with voters and standing against the chaos coming out of DC. These elections couldn’t be more important, which is why the DLCC is all hands on deck to fuel these winning campaigns through Election Day.”
Many local jurisdictions have races for mayor, county board, school board, city council, or sheriff on the ballot.