RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) -Election season is already back, as early voting for the primaries kicks off Friday, May 2, in the Commonwealth.

Voters will be deciding who they want on the ballot in November, and it’s an important year for Virginia.

Three statewide offices are up for election, although some of the nominees are already in place.

The Republican ticket is already decided with Winsome Earle-Sears as the nominee for governor, John Reid as the nominee for lieutenant governor, and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares seeking reelection for his seat.

Meanwhile, Abigail Spanberger is the Democrats’ nominee for governor, although it is a crowded race for the lieutenant governor nominee on the left. Six people are vying for that spot, including Levar Stoney, Babur Lateef, Aaron Rouse, Ghazala Hashmi, Victor Salgado and Alexander Bastani.

Two democrats are seeking the nomination for Attorney General, including Shannon Taylor and Jay Jones.

There are also a handful of primaries for seats in the House of Delegates for both parties in districts all across the Commonwealth.

“People don’t really understand that the primary is really more important than the general election, because those are the people that you have to put in place for the general election,” Chesterfield Deputy Registrar Josephine Claiborne said.

Virginia’s off-year elections typically generate significant interest because they are seen as an early indicator of where the nation is leaning after the presidential election.

While turnout is likely to be large in the fall, local registrars do not expect long lines this spring and summer; however, they believe that early voting has become increasingly popular each year.

“We already will be mailing out about 25,000 by mail ballots. So, that gives us a little bit of an idea of how many people are interested in voting,” Chesterfield’s Director of Elections, Missy Vera, said.

While Chesterfield had five different satellite locations for early voting last fall, anyone who wants to cast their ballot early in the primaries will have to do so at the Central Library. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., every weekday, as well as on the two Saturdays preceding the actual Primary Day.

Early voting in Henrico goes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at both the Western Government Center and the Eastern Government Center.

Henrico’s General Registrar Mark Coakley says he is expecting a higher-than-normal interest for the one-party primary.

Meanwhile, in Hanover, General Registrar Theresa Smithson notes that history shows low turnout numbers in Democratic Party primaries for the county. The 2021 Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General race had a 16% turnout.

She’s not expecting a large turnout for this election, particularly during in-person absentee voting and on Election Day, but as always, she will plan for a high turnout.

Early voting will take place at the Hanover County Government Complex in the Wickham building at 7497 County Complex Rd. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will also be open on the two Saturdays before Primary Day.

Early voting in Richmond takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at three different locations, including City Hall, Hickory Hill Community Center, and the Registrar’s Office on West Laburnum.

Voters are advised to verify their registration in advance and conduct thorough research before heading to the polls. You will need identification to cast your ballot.

Election Day for the primaries is June 17. If you are voting absentee, it has to be postmarked by that date.

If you need to request an absentee ballot, you have to apply for one before June 6 at 5 p.m.

The actual primary day is June 17. If you’re voting absentee, your ballot has to be postmarked by then.

Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.