Virginia’s 45-Day Early Voting Window Opens for June 18 Primaries

Virginia’s 45-day early voting window began Friday for the June 18 primaries, setting the stage for competitive races in the state’s U.S. Senate and House of Representatives seats.

In the U.S. Senate race, Republicans are choosing a nominee to challenge incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. In addition, primaries are being held in six of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts.

Voters can participate in early voting at local registrar offices and satellite sites. The Virginia Department of Elections website provides information on local election offices, registration status, absentee ballots, and voter identification requirements. The deadline to request a mail absentee ballot is June 7.

Sen. Kaine is considered a strong frontrunner in the Senate race, with five Republican candidates vying to compete against him in November. The GOP Senate field includes candidates such as former congressional candidate Hung Cao and U.S. Army veteran Eddie Garcie.

In the U.S. House races, competition is anticipated in districts such as the 2nd District in Hampton Roads and the 7th and 10th Districts in Northern Virginia. Notably, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is not seeking reelection in the 7th District, leading to a crowded field of seven Democrats and six Republicans vying for the seat.

In the 10th District, a dozen Democratic candidates are competing to replace U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who announced she won’t run for reelection due to health reasons. On the Republican side, candidates like attorney Mike Clancy and former Youngkin administration official Aliscia Andrews are running for the seat.

In the 2nd District, U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans is a top target for Democrats after narrowly flipping the district in 2022. Democrat Missy Cotter Smasal is being backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to challenge Kiggans in the upcoming election.

In the 5th District, U.S. Rep Bob Good is facing a tough primary challenge from state Sen. John McGuire. Both candidates are vying for support from the Trump wing of the party in a district that leans Republican.

Overall, the June 18 primaries in Virginia are shaping up to be highly competitive, with a mix of established politicians and newcomers vying for seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Early voting provides an opportunity for voters to have their voices heard ahead of the official election day.