In midterm elections, Virginia nearly reaches record participation

RICHMOND, Va. — Vote tallies proceed throughout the Commonwealth, however unofficial election outcomes appear to confirm what a number of election officers reported to CBS6 Tuesday: voter turnout was sizeable in Virginia for the midterm elections.

As of Wednesday afternoon, with a small variety of ballots nonetheless out and the official canvass of the vote nonetheless to come back, the general vote complete in Virginia’s 11 congressional races was approaching three million. For context, it might be the second-highest vote complete for a Virginia midterm election this century, trailing solely the 2018 midterms in the course of the Trump presidency.

There are extra registered voters in Virginia now than in earlier midterms, and regardless that the ultimate counts are usually not in but, practically 50% of registered voters in Virginia solid ballots in 2022, in accordance with numbers posted as of Wednesday afternoon.

The one congressional seat to alter fingers in Virginia was VA-02 in Virginia Seaside, the place Republican Jen Kiggans defeated incumbent Rep. Elaine Luria (D). Each Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) held onto their seats regardless of GOP optimism that will flip.

Each of these races had been indicators that the anticipated “pink wave” throughout the nation may not materialize, specialists mentioned.

Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin (R) lent his voice to GOP candidates in Virginia and nationwide.

“We knew these races had been within the margin of error all alongside. They had been robust, and so they’re robust incumbent candidates. And so we whereas we had hoped for victories, and we had tremendous candidates, these had been robust races,” Youngkin mentioned of the three aggressive races in Virginia. “We have mentioned all alongside that we thought that the Republican highway to a majority within the Home of Representatives would undergo the 2nd congressional district. I believe that is going to show out to be fairly prescient.”

Whereas the outcomes weren’t what his get together had hoped for, Youngkin famous nationally, voters nonetheless seemingly delivered a cut up authorities in D.C.

“I do assume that what the election reveals is that People are fairly divided proper now. And I am hoping that the brand new Congress and the President can do job of bringing individuals collectively and get issues performed,” Youngkin mentioned.

Susan Swecker, the chairwoman of the Democratic Occasion of Virginia, mentioned she awakened with a smile on her face Wednesday after only some hours of sleep. Swecker sees campaigns just like the one run by Spanberger in VA-07 as a path for Democrats to chop down rural margins and develop their get together in future elections.

“She would not simply march in lockstep with all of the good individuals throughout the Potomac, proper? She really talks to voters in her district. And she or he appears to be like for common sense options. And if it is sensible, she’s with the Democrats. If it would not make sense, she’s going to carve out one thing else,” Swecker mentioned.

Like Youngkin, Swecker mentioned she hopes Congress can transfer previous election season rhetoric to get issues performed for common voters, however she views the trail to the objective very in another way primarily based on Tuesday’s outcomes.

“It takes two to tango on that. Once you vote, you are an election denier, and also you say Joe Biden did not win the election, it’s actually onerous to maneuver previous that. I believe this cycle this yr confirmed individuals are uninterested in that,” Swecker mentioned.

Whereas the votes tallies are nonetheless being finalized this yr, each get together leaders be aware there’s an election each single yr in Virginia.

In 2023, all 140 seats within the Virginia Normal Meeting can be up for grabs. Republicans presently management the Home of Delegates by a slim margin, and Democrats management the Virginia Senate by a good smaller hole.