WASHINGTON — When Virginians head to the polls Nov. 4, they will select a U.S. senator, members of the U.S. House, plus local leaders in Arlington among other local races and issues.
Voters in many areas will also be considering bond issues for uses ranging from elementary schools to walking and bicycling.
How to Vote
Polls in Virginia are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 4.
To vote at the polls, Virginians must provide photo identification. Valid identification include drivers’ licenses and other IDs issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, a U.S. passport or other government ID, a student ID card issued by a public Virginia college or university, or an employee identification card.
Voters who go to the polls on Election Day without identification can cast a provisional ballot but must submit a copy of their ID by the Friday morning following the election.
Absentee Voting
Virginians can vote early, but they need a valid reason to request an absentee ballot or to vote in-person absentee. Early voting is permitted for those who will be out of town, have a commute and workday totaling 11 hours or more or due to disability.
Click here for more details about absentee and early voting in Virginia.
For more details about where to vote or to find out what’s on your ballot, click here.
Contests
U.S. Senate
The only state-wide race in Virginia is the U.S. Senate race pitting first-term incumbent Mark Warner against Republican Ed Gillespie and Libertarian Robert Sarvis.
Gillespie and Warner, a Democrat, have launched a number of searing attack ads in the race targeting Gillespie’s past work as a lobbyist and Warner’s voting record. Polls show, and political experts say, Warner is likely to hold the seat even as Republicans are expected to pick up Senate seats elsewhere in the country.
Gillespie is a former chair of the Republican National Committee. Warner also served as governor of Virginia.
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- Underdog Gillespie says he sees path to victory
- Gillespie ditches ads in Senate race
- Warner, Gillespie face off in final debate
- Warner leads Gillespie in new poll
U.S. House – 10th District
The race to replace retiring Rep. Frank Wolf, a Republican, has taken a nasty turn as Barbara Comstock and John Foust’s campaigns have each launched attack ads, and outside groups have gotten involved as well.
The seat represents areas from McLean to Winchester, including all or parts of Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Frederick and Clarke counties plus Manassas, Manassas Park and Winchester.
Comstock, the Republican candidate, is asking voters to focus on her record as a state delegate and an aide to Wolf on Capitol Hill.
Foust, the Democrat, points to his record as a Fairfax County supervisor and his working class roots.
The three other candidates on the ballot are independent Brad Eickholt, Libertarian William Redpath and Independent Green Dianne Blais.
U.S. House – 7th District
After ousting then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the primary, Republican Dave Brat is hoping to come to Washington to represent the 7th District.
Fellow Randolph-Macon professor Jack Trammell is the Democratic candidate trying to keep that from happening in the heavily Republican district. James Carr is the Libertarian candidate.
The 7th District includes parts of Culpeper, Orange, Spotsylvania and Louisa counties and stretches south to Henrico and New Kent counties outside of Richmond.
Related Stories:
- Eclectic mix of donors in race to succeed Cantor
- Rep. Cantor to resign from House seat in August
- Two from tiny Virginia campus run for Cantor’s seat
- 7th District candidates’ positions on key issues
- Brat, Trammell to meet in congressional forum
U.S. House – 8th District
In the 8th District, Republican Micah Edmond is hoping to overcome a heavily Democratic voter population to beat former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, a Democrat.
The seat is open due to Rep. Jim Moran’s retirement. The district covers Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and eastern Fairfax County.
U.S. House – 11th District
In the 11th District, Democrat Gerry Connolly is seeking re-election. He faces Republican Suzanne Scholte, Green Party candidate Joe Galdo and Libertarian Marc Harrold.
The district stretches from Reston to Burke, Woodbridge and Dumfries.
Arlington
Republican-turned-independent John Vihstadt is looking to retain the county board seat he won in a special election earlier this year. He is again facing Democrat Alan Howze.
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Constitutional Amendment
Virginia voters will consider a constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to give a property tax exemption to the surviving spouse of any U.S. service member who is killed in action.
Read the language of the amendment question here.
WTOP’s Max Smith contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on Facebook.
