News Summary
Virginia is experiencing a remarkable increase in early voting as the November 2025 elections approach, with over 146,000 ballots cast in just the first week. Much of this early turnout is coming from Republican-leaning districts, indicating a strategic effort by the Republican Party to boost voter engagement. Political analysts urge caution in interpreting these early figures, suggesting that enthusiasm levels may still shift as Election Day nears. Both political parties are adapting to the expanded early voting landscape, each aiming to mobilize their voter bases effectively.
Virginia is experiencing a significant surge in early voting activity as the November 2025 elections approach. Early voting in the state began on September 19, 2025, and will continue until November 1, just two days before Election Day. Data released as of September 23, 2025, indicates that a total of 146,223 ballots have already been cast in the first week of early voting. This figure is more than double the ballots cast during the same period in the 2021 general election, which saw only 69,242 ballots cast.
Notably, nearly half of all early ballots have originated from House districts that lean Republican or are considered strong Republican territories. Statewide, around 60% of early ballots came from Republican-leaning or strong Republican districts, while 30% emerged from competitive races and merely 10% from strong Democratic districts. Among the top 20 districts with the highest number of ballots cast, 11 are classified as strongly Republican or leaning Republican, five are strongly Democratic, and four are competitive.
Republican leaders have indicated that this trend in early voting is part of a strategic effort by the party to prioritize early voter turnout, contrasting with their earlier skepticism regarding the practice during the 2020 elections. The Republican Party of Virginia’s chairman has noted that their outreach to less likely voters appears to be yielding positive results based on the early voting patterns observed thus far.
Among the districts seeing high early voting numbers is House District 71, which has recorded the largest amount of early ballots cast. This district is considered politically competitive and covers areas such as James City, New Kent counties, and Williamsburg. In this district, incumbent Del. Amanda Batten, a Republican, is seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Jessica Anderson. Batten currently chairs the House Republican Caucus and has raised $305,863 for her campaign, while Anderson’s fundraising efforts total $356,915.
Political analysts have advised caution in interpreting early voting figures, noting that they provide only a snapshot of voter engagement and that turnout trends can vary as Election Day approaches. A political science professor has commented that a strong early turnout in Republican-leaning districts could indicate higher enthusiasm among Republican voters but may also reflect lower motivation within Democratic circles.
Virginia’s voting laws allow any registered voter to cast a ballot in person without needing to provide a reason up to 45 days before Election Day. This is part of a broader trend towards increased early voting, a change made possible by legislation passed in 2020. The Republican Party is leveraging this expanded voting period through its “Secure the Vote” campaign, which is designed to encourage participation in early voting and emphasize ballot security alongside the campaign efforts of Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Conversely, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia has challenged the assertion of Republican turnout advantages, arguing that Democrats believe they have outperformed turnout figures from the 2021 elections. Additionally, fundraising figures reveal a Democratic edge in Northern Virginia, where Democrats have consistently out-raised Republican candidates in contested races.
Overall, both political parties are adapting to the expanded voting period in Virginia, with Republicans focusing on increasing early voter turnout while Democrats traditionally mobilize their voter base closer to Election Day. As early voting continues, the strategies employed by both parties will play a critical role in the outcomes of the upcoming elections.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Virginia Mercury: GOP Districts Take Early Lead in Virginia’s First Week of Early Voting
- WRIC: Early Voting in Virginia Outpacing 2021
- WTKR: Partisan Polls Put Spanberger Ahead of Earle Sears in Virginia Governor’s Race
- Newsweek: Democrats Get Warning Signs in Virginia
- Daily Signal: Virginia Republicans Leading Early Voting Polls
- Wikipedia: Early Voting
- Google Search: Virginia Election 2025
- Google Scholar: Virginia Elections
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Voting in Virginia
- Google News: Virginia Early Voting
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
