Everything Virginia Voters Need to Know for the 2021 Election
With election season fast approaching, Virginia voters have a lot to consider. In addition to choosing a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and members of the House of Delegates, there are also two proposed constitutional amendments to decide on. To help make sense of it all, here’s everything Virginia voters need to know for the 2021 election.
The Basics
The 2021 election will take place on November 2nd. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters will need to show a valid photo ID to vote, such as a Virginia driver’s license, U.S. passport, or any other photo ID issued by the Commonwealth.
Gubernatorial Race
One of the most high-profile races on the ballot is for governor. The two major party candidates are Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Glenn Youngkin. McAuliffe previously served as governor from 2014 to 2018, while Youngkin is a businessman and political newcomer.
Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Races
In addition to the governor’s race, voters will also choose a lieutenant governor and attorney general. The lieutenant governor serves as the president of the Virginia Senate and takes over as governor if the governor is unable to serve. The attorney general is the top legal officer in the Commonwealth.
For lieutenant governor, the major party candidates are Democrat Hala Ayala and Republican Winsome Sears. For attorney general, the major party candidates are Democrat Mark Herring and Republican Jason Miyares.
House of Delegates Races
All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates are up for election this year. Democrats currently hold a slim majority, but Republicans hope to flip enough seats to take control.
Constitutional Amendments
In addition to the candidate races, there are two proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot.
The first amendment deals with redistricting. If passed, it would create a commission to redraw Virginia’s legislative districts every 10 years. The commission would be made up of eight legislators and eight citizens, with the potential for a political deadlock to be resolved by a random drawing.
The second amendment deals with property tax exemptions for certain veterans and their surviving spouses. If passed, it would extend the exemption to include those who own a primary residence with a value below a certain threshold, regardless of whether they are disabled or not.
Conclusion
The 2021 election in Virginia is shaping up to be an important one, with major races for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, as well as a battle over control of the House of Delegates. Add in the proposed constitutional amendments, and there’s a lot on the line. Virginia voters should take the time to educate themselves on the candidates and the issues, and make their voices heard on November 2nd.
