VIRGINIA, USA — It's Your Voice, Your Vote! Polls will open bright and early at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, as Virginians prepare to cast their ballot in primary races.
These contests will determine party nominees for seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate. And remember, which race you have a say in varies depending on your district.
Furthermore, depending on where you live, there may no party, one party or two parties holding a primary. Say you have the latter, you will choose between a Democratic or Republican ballot.
13NEWS NOW VOTER GUIDE | Virginia's 2023 primary election is June 20. Here's what you need to know to vote.
One local political expert, Dr. Soji Akomolafe, already predicts low voter turnout and small margins of victory.
Akomolafe works at Norfolk State University. He said redistricting makes this primary election cycle in Hampton Roads one to watch.
"Because of that, now we have more competitive districts, which is what we need by the way," said Akomolafe. "Some of those safe districts have disappeared and now you have people who were actually allies in the same party having to compete with each other."
We see that type of competition where St. Sen. Louise Lucas and St. Sen. Lionell Spruill face off. They are vying for the Democratic senate candidacy in District 18, which encompass parts of Chesapeake and Portsmouth.
"It's going to be very hard. You're not going to know what's going to happen until the very last minute. Why do I say that? They're both very popular within the party, they're both well respected within the party," said Akomolafe.
Sticking with state senate candidates, Akomolafe also said another big question lies with who will clinch Republican nomination in District 19, which makes up some sections of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.
The contest is between attorney and delegate Tim Anderson, business owner Jeff Bruzzesi and Christie New Craig, the chief of staff to St. Sen. John Cosgrove.
In Senate District 21, Democrats Angelia Williams Graves and Andria McClellan will go head to head. McClellan currently sits on Norfolk City Council and Williams Graves previously served on the same body.
Williams Graves holds a delegate seat right now.
Whoever wins between Williams Graves and McClellan will serve as the next state senator representing District 21, because no Republican will appear on the November ballot.
The same logic applies for three out of five Hampton Roads-area house races, namely the Democratic nominees for districts 92, 95 and 96.
Polls will close Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Click here, if you need to find your polling location.