Early Voting Begins in Virginia, as Trump Mail-Ballot Restrictions Remain Blocked

Early voting begins Friday across Virginia, kicking off more than six weeks of voting for the Nov. 3 midterms just days after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked new mail-ballot restrictions sought by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives in all 11 of Virginia’s congressional districts, and approve or reject three proposed amendments to the state constitution. Depending on where they live, some voters will also see local races, referendums, and special elections.

The election comes with control of Congress at stake after months of uncertainty over Trump’s attempt to require the U.S. Postal Service to change how it handles mail-in ballots nationwide.

For Virginia voters, however, the procedures will remain unchanged after the Supreme Court on Monday left in place an injunction blocking the Postal Service rule.

“Virginia election officials have had to continuously adapt to changing election landscapes, and their ability to do so quickly showcases their significant experience and dedication to running accurate and secure elections,” Deputy Commissioner of Elections Ashley Coles said during Tuesday’s State Board of Elections meeting in Richmond.

Early in-person voting will continue through Saturday, Oct. 31. Although Virginia’s official 45-day early voting window technically begins Saturday, state officials said registrar offices that will be closed that day must begin offering early voting Friday.

Voters can cast a ballot at an early voting location in the locality where they are registered. Locations and hours vary, and the Virginia Department of Elections recommends voters check with their local registrar before heading out.

There are more weekend options this year compared to previous years. Local registrars will be required to offer voting on the second and third Sundays before Election Day, a new requirement for 2026. Weekend voting will be available Oct. 18, Oct. 24, Oct. 25 and Oct. 31.

Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington, said the fight over mail voting and concerns about Election Day could persuade more people to cast their ballots early.

“President Trump’s continuing efforts to make voting harder, and the possibility of mayhem on Election Day, should really energize early voting in Virginia and around the country this fall,” Farnsworth said. “Virginians have already demonstrated a great willingness to vote early and this year may see even more interest.”

What voters will decide and how to cast a ballot

At the top of the statewide ballot, Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner is seeking a fourth — and what he said would be his final — term against Republican Bert Mizusawa.

All of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats are also on the ballot, including several of the state’s most contentious races.

In the 1st District, Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman of Westmoreland faces Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, the Democratic nominee.

U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, is running against former Democratic U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria in a 2nd District rematch of their 2022 contest, when Kiggans unseated Luria.

Republican U.S. Rep. John McGuire of Goochland faces former Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello and independent Cooke Harvey in the 5th District.

In the 7th, Democratic U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman of Woodbridge is running against Douglas Ollivant, the GOP nominee.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Beyer of Alexandria faces Republican Tony Sabio, Libertarian Shelly Arnoldi and independent Tim Sharman in the 8th District.

Of the three proposed constitutional amendments, one deals with reproductive healthcare decisions, including access to abortion, fertility care, birth control and miscarriage care. Another would remove Virginia’s constitutional ban of same-sex marriage and require legally valid marriages to be treated equally regardless of sex, gender or race.

The third would automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies after their release from incarceration.

In addition, voters in Richmond, Chesterfield County and dozens of other localities will consider whether to authorize a sales-tax increase of up to 1% to pay for school construction and major renovations.

Any registered Virginia voter may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. The deadline to request one by mail or online is Oct. 23.

Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the voter’s general registrar by noon on Nov. 6. Because a ballot arriving after Election Day cannot be counted without a postmark, election officials recommend taking the envelope inside a post office and asking that it be hand-stamped.

“For individuals who have requested an absentee ballot by mail, we want to make sure you complete your ballot, fill out the required information on your envelope, and return it without delay,” Coles said.

Voters can also take mail ballots directly to their registrar’s office or designated drop-off locations during early voting, or return them at polling places on Election Day.

Anyone who requested an absentee ballot but decides to vote in person instead should bring the ballot to an early-voting site or polling place. An election officer can exchange it for an in-person ballot.

Tram Nguyen, executive director of New Virginia Majority, said voters should remain confident that voting by mail remains available. Nguyen is one of about 400,000 Virginians on the state’s permanent absentee-voter list and said she plans to return her ballot through a drop box.

“All Virginians should be able to trust that our election systems are safe, that they can safely cast their ballots, that their votes will be counted, and any action by any entity to interfere with that right should be fiercely rejected,” Nguyen said.

Oct. 23 is also the deadline to register and cast a regular ballot. Same-day registration begins Oct. 24, but voters who register after the deadline must cast a provisional ballot.

Federal effort forced local officials to prepare for changes

Trump issued an executive order March 31 directing the Postal Service to adopt regulations that would bar it from transmitting mail ballots to voters who were not included on a list controlled by the agency.

The Postal Service followed on Aug. 21 with a rule requiring states to register every voter eligible to vote by mail with the agency, which would then compile state-by-state voter lists.

States also would have faced new requirements for ballot envelopes, including submitting designs to the Postal Service for approval. Ballots could have been withheld from voters whose names were missing from the agency’s lists, while envelopes that failed to meet the new standards would have gone undelivered.

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined a multistate lawsuit Aug. 26 seeking to block the rule. Two days later, a federal court granted the states’ request for a temporary restraining order, finding that compliance before the November election was “practically impossible” and carried a significant risk of disenfranchising voters.

The Supreme Court’s action Monday means those requirements will not take effect for the November election.

“Voters may have heard about possible changes to procedures for mailed absentee ballots for the upcoming election related to a new rule by USPS,” Coles told the elections board. “The most important thing for Virginia voters to know is that the requirements of this rule will not be in effect for the 2026 General Election.”

For local election officials, the decision removed one uncertainty as they tested equipment, hired staff, trained poll workers and prepared ballots.

Richmond Elections Director and General Registrar David Levine said his office expects substantial interest because city voters have congressional races, constitutional amendments, a local referendum and a special school board election on their ballots.

Preparations have also included confirming voting sites are available and accessible and updating the city’s election security plan. Richmond also added staff to help with registration, absentee voting, technology and training, Levine said.

The city purchased additional ballot printers as well. The machines allow election officers to print the correct ballot for each voter as needed, which Levine said could speed up voting and reduce the number of preprinted ballots the city has to purchase and later recycle.

“We’re focused right now on making sure everything is in place for voters when they walk through the door,” Levine said.

Joan Porter of the League of Women Voters of Virginia said the proposed federal changes had already caused confusion among voters.

“There’s nothing wrong with mail and voting. There is no fraud that was proven many times in 2020,” Porter said. “The big problem is creating chaos and uncertainty, and people were already asking about ‘what do I do if this is in effect,’ and there’s just no reason for this type of distraction and disenfranchisement.”

Jones, a Democrat, sharply criticized Trump after the Supreme Court declined to allow the new rules to take effect this fall.

“The Commonwealth of Virginia runs free, fair, and secure elections,” Jones said in a statement. “Contrary to the lies he peddles, the greatest threat to confidence in our elections is not Virginia’s voters, election officials, or our election system — it is Donald Trump.”

Jones urged Virginians to vote by mail, use a drop box or vote early, saying his office was working with the Department of Elections to protect access to the ballot.

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Read The Mercury’s midterms voter guide to learn more about the candidates and issues shaping the races.

By Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis with questions: info@virginiamercury.com.