NORFOLK, Va. — Early voting for Virginia's 2024 presidential primary is underway, where Republicans and Democrats alike will pick the candidates they want to face off in the November general election.
From who can vote to when and where to cast your ballot, here's everything you need to know about voting in this year's presidential primary election.
When is the 2024 Virginia primary?
The primary election will take place on Tuesday, March 5.
Virginia is one of 15 states, along with American Samoa, participating in Super Tuesday, when the highest number of states hold presidential primary elections all on the same day. The outcome will likely indicate the frontrunner for each party's presidential nomination, since hundreds of delegates will be up for grabs.
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Who's on Virginia's presidential primary ballot in 2024
In what's shaping up to be a rematch of the 2020 election, former Republican President Donald Trump and the incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden are the likely shoo-ins for their respective parties' nominations. But Super Tuesday is also an opportunity for challengers to remain viable up until each party's nomination conventions.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, businessman Ryan Binkley, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will be on the ballot.
Haley is seeking to be the Republican alternative to Trump, who is facing several legal challenges but yet maintains strong support among Republicans.
While they'll appear on the primary ballot, DeSantis, Christie and Ramaswamy have dropped out of the presidential race.
Biden will appear on the Democratic presidential primary ballot, alongside self-help author Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips.
Williamson and Phillips are considered long-shot candidates amid Biden's significant leads in national polling, high fundraising hauls and support from other high-profile leaders in the Democratic Party.
How to register to vote in Virginia's presidential primaries
The easiest ways to register to vote are online through the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal or at your local voter registration office.
To be eligible for voter registration, you have to be a resident in the state, 18 years old or older, not be registered in another state and not currently declared mentally incompetent by a court of law. Those who have been convicted of a felony must have had their right to vote restored.
People who are 17 years old now but will be 18 by the presidential election, will be permitted to register in advance and vote.
Here are some deadlines and other important dates for the primary election:
- Last day to register to vote or update existing registration: Feb. 12, but voters can register afterward and vote by provisional ballot.
- Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot: Feb. 23; the local voter registration office must receive it by 5 p.m. that day.
- Voter registration offices open for early voting: Feb. 24
- Last day of in-person early voting: March 2
Do I have to register by political party for 2024 Virginia primaries?
No, because Virginia has open primaries and doesn't have party registration. Anyone registered to vote can vote in either primary, but no one is allowed to vote in both primaries.
Where can I early vote in the 2024 Virginia primaries?
Early voting will be available at your city or county's general registrar's office, which you can find on the Virginia Department of Elections website.
People are asked to bring an acceptable form of ID to their polling location, but those without ID can sign a statement affirming their identity and vote using a regular ballot. Those who don't sign an ID statement can still vote using a provisional ballot.