2026 primary elections have been pushed to August. Here are the new dates you need to know.

This year’s primary elections for all Virginia offices have been moved to August following a bill signed last week by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

The primary to decide who will appear in November’s general election will be held on Aug. 4 instead of June 16. This change means other important dates to know in the lead up to the election have been shifted back as well:

The early voting period is from June 19 to Aug. 1, however general registrar offices that close that day for Juneteenth will start early voting on June 18
July 24 is the deadline to register to vote and to cast a regular ballot, and the last day voters can request an absentee ballot by mail or online
July 25 is the start of same-day registration
Noon on Aug. 7 is the deadline for when the general registrar must receive mailed ballots

This change was approved through amendments made to  the budget bill, known as the “caboose bill,” that amends the existing budget through the end of fiscal 2026 in July.

These new dates are not contingent on whether the April 21 referendum on redistricting goes forward as planned, nor on whether the referendum is approved, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

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The deadline for candidates to file to run for the U.S. House of Representatives has also moved back. Those filing to run as a Republican or Democrat must file by May 26, and those filing to run as an Independent must file by Aug. 4. The filing deadline for all other offices will remain April 2 for those running as members of the two major parties and June 16 for independents.

For more information about absentee voting early in person or by mail, call your general registrar’s office or the Department of Election at 1-800-552-9745 or reach them by email at info@elections.virginia.gov.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/02/25/2026-primaries-key-dates/