Every seat in the House of Representatives and one Senate seat will be on Virginia’s primary ballot as the fight for control over Congress shifts from the fight to redistrict to the will of the voters.
The primary is set for Tuesday, Aug. 4, and — if you haven’t yet — it’s time to make sure you’re registered and know where, when and how to cast your ballot to choose the candidates who will go on to this fall’s general election.
Early voting in Virginia 2026 primary
The last day of early voting for the Virginia primary is Saturday, Aug. 1. Go here and select your locality from the dropdown menu to find early voting and satellite locations.
Same-day registration is available at early voting locations.
Deadline for a mail-in ballot to be received in Virginia
Your ballot must be received by your local general registrar no later than 12 p.m. on the third day after the election.
If you’re planning to mail your ballot, make sure you do it as soon as possible. Virginia’s Board of Elections warns: “Having the ballot postmarked by the deadline does not count if the ballot is still received after the deadline.”
Ballot drop box locations in Virginia
You may return your absentee ballot using any drop-off box before 7 p.m. on Primary Day. Look up your locality on Virginia’s Board of Elections website to find polling place and drop box locations.in your area.
2026 Virginia voter registration info
How to check if you’re already registered: If you think you’re already registered but want to make sure, you can check here.
Same-day registration is available at early voting locations or at your Election Day polling place. You’ll need to show your Virginia driver’s license or state ID and provide your Social Security number and date of birth. You’ll be able to fill out a voter registration form and cast a provisional ballot.
Do you need to be registered in a political party to vote in a Virginia primary?
No, Virginia residents do not register by party. You may request a ballot to vote in either the Democratic or Republican party’s primary.
Do you need ID to vote in Virginia in 2026?
You’ll either need to bring ID (see a list of acceptable forms of identification here) or be prepared to sign an ID Confirmation Statement.
What to know if you’re voting on Primary Day in Virginia 2026
Primary Day is Tuesday, Aug. 4. Polls will be open that day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re still in line at 7 p.m., stay in line. Same day registration is available at your Election Day polling place.
Who’s on the Virginia primary ballots statewide and in my area?
See who’s on your ballot by viewing the candidate lists and sample ballots in your area.
Currently, Republicans control five of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats, including Districts 1 and 2, where Democrats are applying a lot of pressure and spending a lot of money.
News4 asked Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, how he thinks it might shake out and how many seats Democrats could pick up. Here’s what he said.
