Early voting still light ahead of Nov. 7 election in Virginia

Nov. 4—Although control of the Virginia General Assembly will be determined by voters Tuesday, early balloting in the closely-watched legislative contest has been relatively light to date.

Democrats currently control the Virginia Senate, and Republicans control the House. Both political parties are hoping to make legislative gains Tuesday.

Today is the last day to cast an early ballot. In Tazewell County, area residents can vote early between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the voter registration office, which is located at 2848 Riverside Drive, North Tazewell.

As of Friday, more than 1,800 early ballots had been cast in Tazewell County. That's down from the 2022 midterm election when 2,700 early votes were cast.

"It appears we won't meet last year's total," Tazewell County Registrar Brian Earls said. "Historically in the four-year cycle this is typically the lower turn-out of the four years. It appears that is going to hold true as well."

Another 750 absentee ballots have gone out by mail, although about 250 of those mail ballots have not yet been returned, according to Earls. The returned ballots by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 7, or Election Day.

Earls said early voting in Tazewell County started out slow, but has picked up over the last two weeks. He said 69 people voted early last Saturday, and more are expected today.

"We've had a steady flow today," he said of early voting Friday. "We will hit over 2,000, but we are still far short (of matching 2022)."

Many local voters will wait until Election Day to cast a ballot at their normal polling precincts.

Polls on Tuesday open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Political observers are watching Tuesday's race to see if Republicans can win complete control of the Virginia General Assembly, or if Democrats will flip the GOP-controlled House and or retain the Senate.

Two years ago, Republicans flipped every statewide constitutional office in Virginia, ushering Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin into office, along with Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

Local voters will decided two contested General Assembly races — one in the Senate and one in the House.

In the Virginia Senate 5th District race, incumbent Senator Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, is being challenged by Democrat Robert W. Beckman of Blacksburg.

The new Virginia Senate 5th District is composed of Tazewell, Bland, Giles, Wythe, Smyth, Pulaski, the city of Radford, and parts of Montgomery County, including the Blacksburg area.

Due to last year's redistricting process, Buchanan County is no longer a part of Hackworth's legislative district. Instead, Buchanan County is now a part of the 6th Senatorial District, and is represented by incumbent Senator Todd Pillion, R-Abingdon, who is running unopposed for re-election.

In the 43rd House of Delegates District contest, incumbent Delegate James W. "Will" Morefield, R-Tazewell, is being challenged by independent candidate David M. "Tiger Dave" Ratliff.

The new 43rd District in the Virginia House includes Tazewell, Buchanan and Bland counties, and parts of Russell and Dickenson counties.

In Tazewell County, three county supervisor seats will be decided Tuesday, two of which are contested.

Incumbent Democrat Charlie Stacy is being challenged by Republican Charles E. "Chuck" Presley in the Eastern District.

In the Northern District race, incumbent Democrat Maggie Asbury is being challenged by Republican Kyle Aaron Cruey.

In the Northwestern District race, incumbent Republican Shanna C. Plaster is running unopposed for re-election.

In the Circuit Court Clerk's race, two candidates — Republican Charity McDaniel Hurst and independent Susie O. Vance — are vying for the position.

Vance was appointed circuit clerk in February following the retirement of Tammy Allison.

Four constitutional officers, all Republicans, are running unopposed for re-election in Tazewell County. They include Sheriff Brian Hieatt, Commonwealth Attorney J. Chris Plaster, Commissioner of Revenue David R. Anderson and Treasurer David T. Larimer, II.

Three incumbents also are running unopposed for re-election in the non-partisan school board race in Tazewell County. They are Erik D. Robinson, Eastern District; David R. Woodard, Northern District; and Donna Lawson Whittington, Northwestern District.

In Bland County, two candidates are vying for circuit court clerk. They are C. Eric Faulkner and Lisa A. Hall. Patrick D. White is running unopposed for Commonwealth Attorney and two candidates are vying for sheriff. They are incumbent Jason Reed Ramsey and challenger Steven A. Russo. Two candidates also are vying for Commissioner of Revenue. They are Dreama A. Hatcher and Cindy U. Wright.

In Buchanan County; 12 candidates are vying Nov. 7 for seats on the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors. They include: Rocklick District; incumbent Republican Craig Stiltner and Democrat Danny Sawyers; North Grundy District, Republican K. Lee Dotson, Jr. and Democrat Rages Matney; South Grundy District; incumbent Republican G. Roger Rife; Prater District, Republican David Rose; Garden District, incumbent Republican Jeffery Cooper and Democrat Hilary Deskins; Hurricane District, Republican incumbent Tim Hess and Democrat Harold Johnson; and Knox District, Republican incumbent Trey Adkins and independent Jerry Scarberry.

Also in Buchanan County, incumbent Republican Sheriff John McClanahan is being challenged by Democrat Allen Boyd. Incumbent Republican Commonwealth Attorney M. Nikki Stiltner is running unopposed for re-election.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com. Follow him @BDTOwens