What to know about voting and candidates for the Virginia 2023 election

Early voting in Virginia‘s statewide elections for 2023 is underway, with commonwealth voters deciding the fate of all 140 seats in the state’s legislature.

In-person early voting began on Sept. 22, with several important voter registration dates coming in the next month ahead of the Nov. 7 general election. Voters can expect tight races in several districts this election cycle, in which Republicans and Democrats have a lot at stake.

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Here are dates to know, races to follow, and political implications in the 2023 Virginia election.

Voter dates

Oct. 16: Voter registration deadline to vote in the 2023 election. Those who register after this date through Election Day can still do so and will vote using a provisional ballot.

Oct. 27: Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you. Virginians can request an absentee ballot through the mail, fax, or online.

Nov. 4: Last day of early in-person voting and deadline to apply for an absentee ballot in person. Early in-person voting will end at 5 p.m.

Nov. 6: Last day a voter can request an emergency absentee ballot.

Nov. 7: Election Day

Why is the 2023 Virginia election important?

Every seat in the Virginia General Assembly, 100 in the House of Delegates and 40 in the Senate, is up for grabs this November. The 2023 election will decide which party controls both houses of the General Assembly, which will likely have a significant effect on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R-VA) ability to advance his conservative agenda.

Republicans hold a narrow margin in the House, while Democrats have a majority in the Senate. Each party is now seeking to flip the opposite party’s controlled chamber this November.

Redistricting pitted some legislators against members of their own party in the primary and set up those heading to the general election for a tough race.

Key legislature races to watch

Senate District 16

Republicans’ most vulnerable seat in 2023 is Senate District 16, which sits in Henrico County, a suburb of Richmond. Incumbent Republican state Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant is facing Democratic Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg in a difficult reelection bid after redistricting moved her into a district that leans Democratic.

Abortion is the key topic in the district. Virginia has not imposed restrictions on the procedure, as other states led by Republican governors did after the reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The procedure is legal up until the third trimester.

Youngkin and Dunnavant have expressed support for a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for “fetal abnormalities,” causing VanValkenburg to hit at the incumbent state senator with scathing ads. Dunnavant has stayed away from airing ads on the matter, a rarity for Republicans.

Senate District 24

Longtime Democratic state Sen. Monty Mason is running in a new district due to redistricting. The new district is slightly leaning Democratic, but Youngkin won it by about 3 points in 2021.

Mason will face Republican Danny Diggs, a retired sheriff. Diggs has the assistance of the Republican State Leadership Committee, which frequently targets Mason.

Senate District 31

Democratic prosecutor and former CIA agent Russet Perry and Republican entrepreneur Juan Pablo Segura are facing off in one of the most highly fundraised races. Due to redistricting, there is no incumbent.

The two had the highest fundraising totals among state Senate races, raising almost $2 million combined through the period ending on Aug. 31. Congressional Democrats secured wins in 2018 and 2022, but Youngkin won narrowly in 2021.

House District 65

Former Democratic state Del. Joshua Cole is running again after losing his reelection bid in the 2021 general election. He will face off against Republican Lee Peters. There is no incumbent, as Republican Del. Lee Ware is running to represent District 72 and leaving District 65’s seat open.

Peters, a Marine Corps veteran and law enforcement officer, has made public safety, another popular topic in the 2023 election, his top concern. Democrats have won the district in other races, but Youngkin won in 2021.

House District 97

Redistricting has forced Republican Del. Karen Greenhalgh to run in a new district, House District 97. She is facing Democratic veteran Michael Feggans.

Greenhalgh was the only Republican to break the top five House fundraisers in the most recent fundraising period. However, Feggans outraised her by $35,000, taking in $633,000.

Youngkin won the district by about 2 points around 2021, but Democrats won congressional races by about 5 points last year.

Other positions up in the 2023 general election

City of Fairfax: court clerk, commonwealth’s attorney, and sheriff

City of Falls Church: court clerk, commonwealth’s attorney, school board member, and city council member

Arlington County: court clerk, commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff, commissioner of revenue, treasurer, county board member, and school board member

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Fairfax County: court clerk, commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff, county supervisor positions, and school board members

Loudoun County: court clerk, commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff, commissioner of revenue, treasurer, county supervisor positions, school board members, and the soil and water conservation director