Higher Early Voter Turnout in Virginia Ahead of November Elections

VIRGINIA, USA — Early voting in Virginia closed at 5 p.m. Saturday, marking the end of a month-long voting period ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4. State officials report that turnout this early voting period has been higher than in the last gubernatorial elections of 2021.

Dr. Jesse Richman, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Old Dominion University, noted the uptick in early voting. “One of the things we’re seeing is higher early voting than we saw in 2021,” Richman said, highlighting that both in-person and absentee ballots contributed to this trend.

Richman described the evolving nature of voting in Virginia. “We started voting in September, we’re going to finish in November.” He pointed out that while early voting is trending positively, many Virginians still prefer casting their ballots on Election Day.

<p“There are some people who just like voting on Election Day,” Richman said. “That’s their habit. They want to see the full play of the campaign before casting their votes.” Some voters, he added, might still be undecided, especially in less-visible races such as lieutenant governor and attorney general.

With early voting now complete, campaigns are shifting focus to energizing their supporters for Election Day. “Campaigns try to get their supporters to vote early if they can,” Richman explained. “They know who’s voted and who hasn’t, allowing them to remind supporters to show up on Election Day.”

Richman noted that high-profile surrogates are visiting critical areas to encourage turnout, citing the Spanberger campaign’s strategy to bring Barack Obama to Norfolk to mobilize voters.

Turnout in regions like Hampton Roads is considered vital for influencing state outcomes, particularly in contested House of Delegates races. Voter concerns largely center on the economy, inflation, and democracy, with immigration and education trailing in priority.

As Election Day approaches, polling shows potential advantages for Democrats. However, Richman urged caution in interpreting these results, given historical patterns of Virginia elections.

<p"Since 2008, Democrats have generally had an advantage in Virginia,” he stated. “But we’ve seen exceptions, and we shouldn't take this polling for granted.” He encouraged voters to research candidates thoroughly and participate actively on Election Day.

Polling places in Virginia will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters must bring valid identification, such as a driver’s license or voter registration card, to cast their votes.