Information on Voting in Virginia's Historic General Election: Key Points to Consider Before Casting Your Ballot
Election Season in Virginia: A Comprehensive Guide
Virginia is gearing up for its 2023 general and special elections, with a multitude of candidates vying for various positions. Here's a snapshot of some key races and important dates to remember.
Gubernatorial Race
Incumbent Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger, the first woman to represent Virginia's 7th Congressional District, is running for governor. Challenging her is John Reid, a Republican who has previously hosted a conservative talk radio show and worked as a local television news anchor and investigative reporter in Richmond. Another notable candidate is Winsome Earle-Sears, the current Lt. Governor for Virginia and the first Black woman elected to a statewide office.
Attorney General Race
Jay Jones, a Democrat who served as a state delegate for Norfolk and worked as an assistant attorney general in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, is running for attorney general. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who became the first Latino attorney general for the commonwealth in 2021, is seeking re-election.
Lieutenant Governor Race
Ghazala Hashmi, a Democrat and current Virginia state senator, is running for lieutenant governor. She would be the first Muslim and the first Indian-American to hold statewide office if elected. John Reid, the Republican running for governor, is also in the race for lieutenant governor. Democrat Sara Ratcliffe, with 30 years of political experience, is running unopposed in her primaries.
House of Delegates
All 100 seats in the House of Delegates are on the ballot. Democrats have put up a Democratic candidate for every seat. Notable races include Joshua E. Thomas (D) versus Gregory Lee "Greg" Gorham (R) for House District 21, Candi Patrice Mundon King (D) versus James V. Tully (R) for House District 23, and Karen Hamilton (R) versus Elizabeth R. Guzman (D) for House District 62.
Local Races
Several local races are worth noting. In Culpeper County, Brad Rosenberger (R) is running for the Stevensburg District, while Farrish (R) is running for the Jefferson District. Mandy Jenkins Brown (R) is running for the Jefferson District, and David E. Durr (I-Incumbent) is running for re-election in the Jefferson District.
In Stafford County, Henry S. "Hank" Scharpenberg (R) is running against Maya P. Guy (D) for the Aquia District, Chris J. "Yak" Yakabouski (R-Incumbent) is running for the Battlefield District, and Kevin W. Marshall (I-Incumbent) is running for re-election in the Berkeley District. Marcus A. Garcia (I) and Marcus T. Oats (I) are running for the Lee Hill District, while R. Pamela Yeung (D-Incumbent) and Barton M. "Bart" Randall (I) are running for the Garrisonville District.
In Manassas City, Patricia E. Richie-Folks (D-Incumbent) is running for the Treasurer, Tim Demeria (D-Incumbent) is running for the Commissioner of Revenue, and Deon A. Shamberger (R) is challenging Demeria for the Commissioner of Revenue.
Voter Registration and Early Voting
Voter registration/registration updates must be completed by Oct. 24. Voters can register, update their registration, or apply for an absentee ballot online through the Virginia Department of Elections' Citizen Portal. Apply for a ballot by mail must be received by Oct. 24 by 5 p.m.
In-person early voting runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1. Local registrars' offices can provide details about early voting locations and sample ballots. In-person same-day registration is available Oct. 25 through Election Day with a provisional ballot.
For more information, contact your local registrar's office or visit the Virginia Department of Elections' website. Let your voice be heard in the 2023 elections!
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