From our friends at the League of Women Voters VA…
June 21 Primary – Redistricting Requires Research
Janet Boyd, Voter Services, LWV-VA
In a few weeks, the June 21 Primary will take place for only seven races throughout Virginia. Republicans are using the state-run primary process for four Congressional Districts (2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th) and the Democrats are using a state-run primary for one Congressional District (8th) and for races involving City Councils in Roanoke City and Manassas City.
Redistricting line changes means that you need to plan your strategy for voting in these races. You can check Vote411.org to determine whether your registered address includes any of these races. If you plan to vote in person, you should check with the Department of Elections Citizens Portal for your correct polling place location, as many have changed because of redistricting. The registration deadline to vote in the June 21 primary passed May 31.
Are you confused because you don’t have a primary election on June 21? Each Party in Virginia can choose how they want voters to select their preferred candidates for the General Election on November 8. Here are the choices that Parties made for the remaining Congressional House races:
In the 1st and 4th congressional districts, only one candidate from each party qualified, so no primary is needed.
No Democratic party candidate qualified for the 9th district, but the district’s Democratic Committee has nominated a candidate who will appear alongside the Republican candidate on the November ballot in the 9th.
Only one Democratic candidate qualified in the 2rd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 11th congressional districts so there is no Democratic primary in those districts; these candidates will appear on the respective November ballots.
Republicans held a Firehouse Primary in the 11th congressional district on May 7; that candidate will appear on the November ballot for the Republican party.
Republicans held Conventions or Firehouse Primaries on May 21 in the 5th, 8th, and 10th congressional districts; the winners will appear on the respective November ballots.
Democrats in the 6th congressional district will hold a Convention on June 11 to select the Democratic candidate for the November ballot in that district.
Check out www.vote411.org for more election information from the LWV.
VPAP: Check your new districts for Congress, the House of Delegates, and the State Senate here.