Early voting begins for Virginia contests and amendments

Early voting is underway

Early voting has begun in Virginia, moving the election from preparation to active ballot casting. The ballot includes a Senate seat, a congressional race and proposed amendments.

The Senate and congressional contests are candidate elections. Each gives voters a choice about who should hold the office named on the ballot. The amendment questions are separate decisions and ask voters to consider proposed changes rather than select an officeholder.

Each contest and amendment stands on its own. A voter’s selection in the Senate contest does not determine a choice in the congressional race or on any proposed amendment.

Understanding the ballot

The ballot brings together two types of decisions: elections for public office and direct votes on proposed amendments. Voters can review each item separately and follow the instructions printed with that contest or question.

For candidate races, voters should identify the office before making a selection. For amendments, voters should read the full ballot language and note what a “yes” or “no” vote would mean for each proposal. Because multiple amendments are on the ballot, each requires its own response.

What happens during early voting

The opening of early voting gives voters an opportunity to cast ballots before the election’s final voting day. Election officials administer the process and provide the official ballot language and voting instructions.

Voters should rely on those official instructions when completing the ballot, particularly for the amendment questions. The Senate contest, congressional race and each proposed amendment will be counted as distinct ballot items.