Time to vote
Don’t make excuses. Cast a ballot in today’s pivotal legislative election.
We made it, Virginia. After months of campaign rallies, countless political ads, a handful of actual debates, and millions of dollars spent, the commonwealth will open its polling stations on Tuesday morning for voters to have their say in this year's election.
Those casting a ballot today will choose all 140 members of the General Assembly, effectively charting the commonwealth's legislative agenda for the next two years. It is a pivotal moment, and it's essential that everyone eligible to vote takes the time to do so today.
Participating on Election Day can be a chore. Voting takes place on Tuesday, a weekday, meaning that most people have competing obligations, be it going to work, making it to class or caring for the kids. It may be challenging to carve out a few minutes to visit the local polling station.
Thankfully, Virginia has made it much easier to vote in recent years, opening the democratic system to more of the electorate. The commonwealth now offers early voting periods and mail-in balloting to improve the convenience of voting and encourage greater participation. It also made absentee voting easier.
Off-year elections tend to have lower
turnout than presidential years, even a hotly contested legislative year such as this, so chances are it won't take more than a few minutes to go through the process of completing a ballot. Don't let the fear of an hourlong wait keep you from going to the polls.
A few things to remember today.
First, if you're headed to the polls, don't forget to bring a valid photo ID if you have one; those without a valid ID will be allowed to cast a ballot by signing a statement confirming your identity.
Second, Virginia no longer strictly requires potential voters to register weeks before an election. The commonwealth adopted same-day registration, which began in 2022, and now allows Virginians to register at their polling place and complete a provisional ballot in this election.
Finally, if you have a problem voting, don't panic. The Virginia Department of Elections encourages voters who have experienced an issue at the polls to contact 1-800-552-9745, or via email at info@elections.virginia.gov to report the problem. It also instructs voters who met all the requirements but were still not allowed to vote to ask an election official to contact the General Registrar's office before you leave the polling place.
Speaking of elections officials, Virginia should be proud that so many of its residents willingly give their time and energy in service of our democratic process.
From the familiar faces who check IDs, hand out ballots and keep polling stations operational, to the folks who help process ballots, address complaints and ensure a smooth and secure vote, poll workers and election officials are heroes.
In recent years, those individuals have come under fire and unfairly criticized as having a sinister or undemocratic agenda, when in fact they conduct themselves without favor or bias, enforcing only the law. They should be praised for their tireless efforts each year.
It's important to remember tonight that, after the polls close, it may be some time before we know the outcomes of key races or whether the House and Senate are in Democratic or Republican hands. As we've learned from recent elections, vote totals at night may not be the same in the morning as more ballots are processed and included in the count.
It's a good reminder to be patient throughout that process. Nothing is final until the votes are canvassed and certified, and election officials will always emphasize accuracy over speed in that effort. Be sure to stay up-to-date with election results and news at pilotonline.com and dailypress.com, which will be updated throughout the day.
It's been quite a journey, Virginia, but here we are once again. Now the future of the commonwealth is in your hands. Please take the time today to vote — and offer a word of thanks to the poll workers who ensure the process runs smoothly.