Full Breakdown
Early Voting Kicks Off in Virginia Ahead of the 2026 Midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: In-person early voting opens in Virginia
On September 18, 2026, Virginia began its in-person early-voting period, the first state to do so for the 2026 midterm elections. Voters can cast ballots at local registrar offices and designated voting centers through October 31. A handful of other states—Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota—allow absentee ballots to be submitted in person on the same day, with additional states slated to expand early-voting options in the weeks that follow. The November 3 election will decide control of the U.S. House and Senate, as well as numerous gubernatorial, state-legislative and local contests.
Background & Context
The rollout occurs amid three intertwined developments. First, a wave of mid-decade congressional redistricting, spurred by former President Donald Trump’s 2022 push for Republican-friendly maps in Texas, has been replicated in California and other states, reshaping districts for millions of voters. Second, the U.S. Supreme Court this year weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections against racially discriminatory redistricting, a change officials expect to influence contests through 2028. Third, the Trump administration continues to challenge voting procedures: the Court recently rejected a bid to restrict mail ballots, but the administration persists in pursuing lawsuits aimed at “noncitizen voter” lists and in pressuring state officials to share voter data.
Data & Statistics
- 47 states, Washington DC and several territories now offer some form of early in-person voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
- Virginia’s early-voting window runs from September 18 to October 31; North Carolina began mailing absentee ballots on September 4.
- Early-voting periods elsewhere range from three to 46 days, with an average of about 20 days.
- Virginia voters will also decide three constitutional amendments on reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and felony-voting rights.
Criticism & Opposition
David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, characterized the president’s claims of widespread non-citizen voting as a “disinformation campaign” and warned that the administration’s efforts to mine state voter lists could undermine public confidence. Becker also noted that research continues to show non-citizen voting is “exceptionally rare.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “This election is critical. We need to stop the Trump agenda,” — Stephen Gura
- “He's in a mess he can't get rid of,” — William Curry
- “Regardless of whether you vote for a Democrat, Republican, people are not going to be stopped or intimidated from participating in our elections,” — Laura Bland
- “State law is extraordinarily clear that the only person that can access the voter file to get personal information about that voter is the voter himself or herself,” — Sen. Mark Warner
- “Our testing was successful and we’re really confident in our voting equipment for the November election,” — Mark Coakley
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of states offering early voting: some cite “47 states plus Washington, DC,” while others simply state “most states.” No source provides a definitive nationwide schedule for when each state will expand early voting, leaving voters to rely on state election-board announcements.
What’s Next
- October 31: last day of Virginia’s in-person early-voting period.
- November 3: voters cast ballots in the midterm election that will determine congressional control for the remainder of President Trump’s term.
The early-voting launch marks the first major procedural milestone in a contested election cycle, setting the stage for a closely watched contest over congressional control, redistricting outcomes, and the future of voting-rights protections.
