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Virginia expands early in-person voting for 2026 midterms

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 11:23 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Virginia Launches Early Voting

Virginia started early in-person voting for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections on Friday.
Early-voting availability grew from 24 states in 2000 to 47 states plus Washington, D.C. in 2026.
Virginia added weekend voting and eliminated the absentee-ballot witness requirement.
The Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s proposed federal restrictions on mail voting this week.
Minnesota, South Dakota and other states permit in-person absentee voting at local election offices.

Summary

Virginia Votes Amendments

Three constitutional amendments will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for reproductive care, marriage equality, and felony-voter rights.
Amendment 1 adds a right to decide on prenatal care, contraception, abortion, and fertility.
Amendment 2 removes the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, guaranteeing marriage equality.
Amendment 3 would automatically restore voting rights to felons upon release, ending governor approval.
Senate race pits Democrat Mark Warner against Republican Major General Bert Mizusawa, the Aug. 4 primary winner.

History

Historical Context

After President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965—prompting roughly 250,000 Black registrations in its first year and covering 13 Southern states—the law reshaped federal oversight of elections. Decades later, Virginia’s 2024 expansion of in-person voting and restoration of felon ballots mirrors that act’s goal of widening participation across states.

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Virginia Launches Early Voting

Virginia started early in-person voting for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections on Friday.
Early-voting availability grew from 24 states in 2000 to 47 states plus Washington, D.C. in 2026.
Virginia added weekend voting and eliminated the absentee-ballot witness requirement.
The Supreme Court blocked President Donald Trump’s proposed federal restrictions on mail voting this week.
Minnesota, South Dakota and other states permit in-person absentee voting at local election offices.

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