Early Voting Gets Underway in Virginia Primary

RICHMOND, Va. — Early voting began in Virginia on Friday ahead of the commonwealth’s June 21 primaries.

Early voting will continue through June 18 at 5 p.m.

Those wishing to vote in person can do so at their local register’s office, which can be found here.

In person voters are advised that they will need to show a valid voter ID before they cast their ballot. The list of valid IDs can be found here.

Citizens who want to vote in this year’s primary but still need to register to vote may do so here.

Those wishing to vote by absentee ballot can register to do so here. The deadline to request one is June 10. The commonwealth will begin mailing absentee ballots out to voters on Saturday. According to the state board of elections, 15,053 absentee applications have been approved as of May 8.

Once completed, voters have until June 21 at 7 p.m. to drop off their ballot.

Ballots sent back by mail will be accepted as long as they are postmarked on or before June 21 and get to the voters’ local elections office by June 24.

Completed absentee ballots can also be dropped off at one of several drop box locations.

Who’s Running?

Because 2022 is a redistricting year, voters heading to the polls or casting an absentee ballot might be surprised to discover they are not voting for or against the same incumbent as they have in the past.

The Democrats are holding only one primary this year, in the 8th Congressional District, while Republicans are holding a primary in the 7th Congressional District and also several “firehouse” primaries and conventions.

A firehouse primary, also called a firehouse caucus or “unassembled caucus,” is a term used to describe a primary election run by a political party, not a government, to select the party’s candidates for a later general election.

8th Congressional District

In the 8th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., is being challenged by Victoria Virasingh, the daughter of immigrants and a native of Arlington. The Republicans are holding a convention May 21 to select a candidate.

7th Congressional District

In the 7th Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger doesn’t have a primary opponent. However, a number of hopefuls are running in the Republican primary. They are: Gary Adkins, Derrick Anderson, Gautam Barve, Gina Ciarcia, Craig Ennis, Michael Monteforte, Bryce Reeves, David Ross, Crystal Vanuch and Yesli Vega.

6th Congressional District

In the 6th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rep. Benjamin Lee Cline is facing a primary challenge from Merritt Hale. Meanwhile, the Democrats are holding a convention to select their candidate.

5th Congressional District

In the 5th Congressional District, Joshua Throneburg is the Democratic nominee. As for the Republicans, they are holding a convention to choose their candidate. Incumbent Rep. Bob Good and Dan Moy are in the running.

4th Congressional District

As for the 4th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Rep. Aston Donald McEachin has no challenger, but Republicans Leon Benjamin and Michael Dickinson will meet in a GOP primary.

3rd Congressional District

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Bobby Scot does not have a challenger. As for the Republicans, there will be a primary between Theodore Engquist and Terry Namkung.

2nd Congressional District

In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria doesn’t have a challenger. Like the 7th District, however, a handful of Republicans are lining up to challenge her. They are Tommy Altman, Andy Baan, Jarome Bell and Jennifer Kiggans.

1st Congressional District

Rep. Rob Wittman, the Republican incumbent, has no primary challenger, nor does Democrat Herb Jones.

On the actual primary day, June 21, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If voters are in line at 7 p.m., you will get to vote.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue.