After weeks of political ads, mailers, debates and rallies, early voting begins Friday in Virginia.

Elected positions at nearly every level of government are up for election this year. 757 Votes — the voter guide from The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press  — explains what races are on the ballot and who is running for office.

The 2025 election guide contains Q&As with candidates running in races for statewide office; House of Delegates seats; and cities’ constitutional officers. The full election guide will run in the newspaper on Oct. 19.

Races on the ballot

Across the state, voters will decide who will be the next governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general for the next four years. Democrat Abigail Spanberger faces Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the race for the state’s governor. Republican John Reid and Democrat Ghazala Hashmi look to take over as the governor’s second-in-command. Democrat Jay Jones is challenging Republican incumbent Jason Miyares for the commonwealth’s attorney general.

All 100 seats in Virginia’s House of Delegates are up for grabs. Candidates from districts representing Hampton Roads are included in the election guide. These legislators serve two-year terms in the General Assembly.

Cities also have constitutional offices on the ballot this year. These positions include sheriffs, commonwealth’s attorneys, commissioners of revenue and treasurers. Each of these elected officials will serve for four years. Residents of Norfolk and Chesapeake also have special elections for school board on their ballots. In Virginia Beach, voters will decide on a ballot referendum question that asks voters which election system they want to use in future elections.

In James City County, voters will choose seats on the Board of Supervisors and on the school board.

757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2025 election guide

How to vote early

Early voting starts Friday, Sept. 19. The last day to vote early in person is Nov. 1.

The deadline to register to vote or update registration is Oct. 24, but voters may register after this date through Election Day on Nov. 4 and vote using a provisional ballot.

All localities offer early voting, and voters are only allowed to vote early in the jurisdiction in which they are registered. Voters can cast ballots in person at their voter registrar’s office. Hours of operation may vary and voters should contact their registrar’s office or visit www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/early-voting-office-locations/ for more information.

How to vote absentee

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot either in-person, by mail or by contacting their general registrar’s office. Voters can also apply for a ballot online at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. No reason is needed to request an absentee ballot. Once submitted, voters can track their absentee ballot by logging into Ballot Scout.

If voters are returning their ballots by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by their general registrar’s office by noon on Nov. 7. Voters can also return ballots at the general registrar’s office or polling location on Election Day.

Important dates to remember

In-person voting: Sept. 19 through Nov. 1

Deadline to register to vote or update registration: Oct. 24

Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot: 5 p.m. Oct. 24

Election Day: Nov. 4

Deadline for absentee ballots to be delivered by mail to the registrar: Nov. 7

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/18/early-voting-virginia-what-to-know/