This year’s race for Virginia governor will result in the first woman elected to the commonwealth’s highest office. And more Virginians chose to cast their votes early than in past elections.
Early voting by mail and in person began in September and ended on Saturday. Voters are choosing between Republican candidate and current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic nominee and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger.
Early Voting Numbers
According to the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project, as of October 30, more than 1.4 million Virginians had already voted early. In the 2021 gubernatorial race, early voting accounted for approximately 1.16 million ballots total.
In the 2021 election, VPAP data shows 59 percent of early votes were by Democrats and 40 percent by Republicans. For 2025, VPAP reports the majority of early mail-in ballots are likely from Democratics, while Republican voters lead in early in-person voting.
In-Person Voting
Virginians who have not yet voted can go to the polls on Tuesday, November 4. Polling stations are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Virginia law requires all voters provide an acceptable form of ID. A voter who arrives without ID will be required to either sign an ID confirmation statement or vote a provisional ballot. With a provisional ballot, the voter must then bring ID to their locality’s electoral board or sign a confirmation statement by noon on Friday, November 7, for the ballot to be counted.
You can find your voting location here.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
