WASHINGTON, 2025-06-14
Virginia Voters Head to the Polls
Virginians are set to vote in the state’s primary elections, with key races determining the candidates who will compete in the November general election. Voters will choose nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general, and the House of Delegates.
- Primary elections will determine the Democratic nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general, along with House of Delegates candidates.
- Key races include the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, with candidates like Ghazala Hashmi and Aaron Rouse vying for the spot.
- Voters can participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary, but not both.
What’s happening in Virginia’s primary elections? Virginia voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the state’s primary elections. These primaries will determine the candidates who will advance to the general election in November,a critical step as Republicans and Democrats vie for control of key state offices.
At the top of the ticket, Republican Lt.Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger are unopposed for their parties’ nominations for governor and will not appear on Tuesday’s ballot.
The race for lieutenant governor is notably crowded,with state Sens. Ghazala hashmi of Richmond and Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach, Prince William County School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, former Richmond Mayor Stingy, and former federal government attorneys Alex Bastani and Victor Salgado competing for the Democratic nomination. Talk-radio host John Reid is unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Stoney has endorsements from former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete buttigieg. He has led the field in fundraising, bringing in $2.1 million since launching his campaign in April 2024. Rouse’s endorsements include U.S.Rep. Bobby Scott and state Senate President Pro Tempore louise Lucas. He has raised more than $1.8 million, just ahead of Hashmi. Lateef raised about $1.3 million.
Did you know?-Endorsements can considerably impact a candidate’s visibility and fundraising capabilities. High-profile endorsements often signal broader support and can sway undecided voters.
Hashmi entered the campaign’s final 12-day stretch with the most money in the bank at nearly $462,000. Rouse was close behind with $452,000. Lateef and Stoney each had roughly $260,000 in the bank as of June 5.
In the race for state attorney general, former state Del. Jay Jones and Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor seek the Democratic nomination to face Republican incumbent Jason miyares in November. Jones’ key supporters include McAuliffe and former Gov. Ralph Northam. Taylor has endorsements from former Virginia Attorneys General Mark Herring and Mary Sue Terry.
Jones has outraised Taylor $2.7 million to $2.1 million for the campaign although Taylor outraised Jones from April through early June. As of June 5, Jones had $493,000 in the bank, compared with $470,000 for Taylor.
Reader question:-How do you think endorsements from former attorneys general influence voters in the current attorney general race?
What to Expect
All 100 seats in the state House of Delegates are up for election this year,even though only 15 districts will hold contested primaries. Democrats hold slender majorities in both the state House and the state Senate. Members of the upper chamber will not face voters until 2027.
Northern Virginia and the Richmond area tend to play key roles in statewide Democratic primaries. Counties and cities from those areas made up eight of the top 10 jurisdictions that contributed the most votes in the Democratic primaries for governor and lieutenant governor in 2017 and 2021.
Fairfax County tends to post the highest total votes of any jurisdiction in the state in both parties’ primaries. The neighboring northern Virginia counties of Loudoun and Prince William are also influential in both Democratic and Republican primaries, while nearby arlington and alexandria play a lesser role in Republican primaries, given their political leanings.
Did you know? Virginia does not conduct automatic recounts. Candidates may request and pay for recounts if the margin between the top two candidates is 1 percentage point or less.
Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.
Voting Details
Any registered voter in Virginia may participate in either the Democratic or the Republican primary but not both.
As of early may, there were about 6.3 million registered voters in Virginia. Voters do not register by party.
Turnout in the 2021 Democratic primary for governor was 8% of registered voters. About a quarter of primary voters cast their ballots before Election Day. Virginia Republicans did not hold a primary for governor that year.
As of Thursday, more than 158,000 Democratic primary ballots had been cast before Election Day. With no statewide GOP primaries on the ballot to drive turnout and only eight contested GOP state House primaries, there were fewer than 9,000 pre-Election Day ballots cast by Republican primary voters in the same time frame.
Vote counting
In the 2024 presidential election, the AP first reported results at 7:11 p.m. ET, or 11 minutes after polls closed. The election night tabulation ended at 3:56 a.m.ET with about 95% of total votes counted.
Looking Ahead
As of Tuesday,there will be 140 days until Virginia’s general election.
Impact on Key Races and Beyond
This year’s primary elections are not just about choosing candidates; they’re a crucial test of voter engagement and a harbinger of the political landscape in the Old Dominion. The outcomes will directly affect the general election in November,shaping policies and platforms on critical issues. Considering the close races and the level of voter participation, these early elections hold meaningful power.
The competitive Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, highlighted by the fundraising and endorsement insights provided, is particularly noteworthy. Who ultimately earns the Democratic nomination will considerably shape the overall election picture, influencing the party’s messaging and the success of down-ballot candidates. This race has been marked by strong fundraising, indicating high levels of competition.
For the attorney general’s race, the winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Republican jason Miyares. The influence of endorsements,as mentioned in the “Reader Question” section,plays a significant role and often resonates wiht voters,especially in critical elections.
- Lieutenant Governor: The Democratic primary outcome will be a major determinant for their chances in November. John Reid (R) is unopposed.
- Attorney General: The Democratic primary winner will fight for general election success, with voters keenly watching the influence of endorsements.
- House of Delegates: Even though many seats have no primary competition, primary results will shape the direction of the General Assembly.
The Virginia primary elections offer critical insights into the state’s political trends and voter preferences, with an impact that extends far beyond the specific races in this year.
How do endorsements from past attorneys general influence voters? Endorsements provide voters with additional insight into choosing the best candidate. Such support tends to boost candidates’ campaigns.
Why is Northern Virginia so significant in these primaries? Because of its high voter turnout, Northern Virginia is frequently a key part of the state’s election outcome. Historically, it often sets the tone for many Democratic primaries.
Hear’s a look at some of the key questions surrounding the elections:
FAQ: What happens if a candidate gets very few votes in the primary?
In Virginia, a candidate must secure the party’s nomination by winning a majority of votes. If no candidate achieves this, a runoff election might be required, as stipulated by the party’s rules.
FAQ: How does the lack of statewide GOP primaries affect overall turnout?
Unlike other states, Virginia Republicans did not hold a primary for governor that year, decreasing overall turnout.More contested GOP state House primaries might increase overall turnout.
FAQ: is there a difference between casting a ballot before Election Day compared to Election Day?
Yes. The ability to vote early is related to turnout, and in 2021, about a quarter of the primary voters cast their ballots before Election Day. The versatility to accommodate voters’ schedules is an important factor for voter engagement.
As the general election approaches, the insights derived from these primary elections will be invaluable for understanding how voters feel about upcoming policy changes.
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