Election Day Voting Hours
Polls are open on Election Day, Nov. 4, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. As long as you are in line when the polls close, you can still vote.
Where to Vote
You can look up your polling location any time by visiting the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal tool and choosing the "Find your polling place" option.
Once you enter your information into the tool, you'll be taken to a form that lists your locality, precinct and polling place information. You'll also be able to see which House of Delegates race you'll be voting in.
Virginia voters must provide an acceptable form of ID or sign an identity confirmation statement.
Sample Ballots
Click the links below to view the sample ballot for the locality listed.
James City County Sample Ballot
York County Sample Ballot
City of Williamsburg Sample Ballot
Sample ballots for any locality in the U.S. can also be viewed by using the Ballotpedia Sample Ballot Lookup Tool.
On the Ballot
All Virginians will have the opportunity to weigh in on three statewide races: Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.
All candidate names in our guide appear in the same order that they will be listed on the ballot.
Governor
Abigail Spanberger (D)
Brief bio: Abigail Spanberger was born in New Jersey and moved to central Virginia at the age of 13. Her father was a police officer, and her mother was a nurse. Spanberger served in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an operations officer between 2006 and 2014. She ran for Virginia's 7th congressional district in 2018 and won the election. As a Congresswoman, she became known for her moderate positions in the areas of public safety, healthcare and the environment.
Top priorities: Spanberger has emphasized that one of her most pressing priorities is reducing the cost of living for Virginians. She states on her website that she will lead efforts to address housing affordability, push for energy independence, protect the Affordable Care Act and work to increase the availability of quality childcare programs.
"As governor, I'll lower prescription drug costs and protect access to affordable healthcare coverage," Spanberger told Virginia Mercury. "Additionally, I want Virginia to be the nationwide leader in addressing the housing affordability and supply crisis. And I want to see Virginia become more energy independent."
Winsome Earle-Sears (R)
Brief bio: Winsome Earle-Sears is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, and immigrated to the U.S. as a young child. She was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of corporal. Earle-Sears' political career began in 2002, when she was elected to the House of Delegates. She also served as the Vice President of the Virginia Board of Education, as co-chair of the African American Committee and on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Earle-Sears is the first female Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth and the first Black woman ever elected to statewide office.
Top priorities: On her campaign website, Earle-Sears states that she would focus on reducing the cost of living by lowering taxes and eliminating the car tax, cutting wasteful government spending and removing "job-killing" regulations. She takes a tough stance on crime and wants to push for policies that would provide better resources for law enforcement. Earle-Sears supports school choice. She says she would continue to expand on the successes she and Gov. Youngkin have worked toward for the last four years.
"As Governor, I'll keep Virginia moving forward by growing our economy, protecting our families and putting students first," she said in an interview with Cardinal News. "We didn't come this far to turn back now."
Lieutenant Governor
Ghazala Hashmi (D)
Brief bio: Ghazala Hashmi is the first Muslim and first South Asian American elected to the Virginia Senate. Prior to her election to office in 2019, she taught as a professor, first at the University of Richmond and then Reynolds Community College.
Top priorities: Hashmi states that if elected, she will prioritize supporting reproductive freedom and is committed to "doing everything I can" to fight for gun violence laws, including universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons. Hashmi also says that she would work to strengthen the economy by protecting workers' collective bargaining rights, promoting jobs in the digital economy and expanding access to childcare.
"We're fighting for education and health care, affordable housing, childcare access, and all of those are good for every family in Virginia," Hashmi told WUSA9. "When we make sure that we prioritize those issues, it's issues for every family."
John Reid (R)
Brief bio: John Reid lives in Richmond and has been the host of the WRVA Morning Show for eight years. He founded The Virginia Council in 2021. The goal of the organization, according to its website, is to "safeguard the Commonwealth's monuments, art and historic sites... as resources for learning, dialogue and community connection." As a young man, Reid was an intern for Ronald Reagan and later went on to serve as Communications Director for U.S. Senator George Allen. He also worked as a tv news anchor and reporter for more than a decade.
Top priorities: Reid states on his website that his priorities include protecting the state's right to work policy, advocating for lower taxes and building on Gov. Youngkin's efforts to bring business to Virginia. He also says he would promote efforts to erase "political bias" and "radical social agendas" from public schools, support policies that protect law enforcement and advocate for tax break for Virginians.
"This is not about money or celebrity status or power or future politics for me, it's about leading away from zealotry and social justice warrior agendas and making reasonable and responsible and fair decisions so that free citizens can manage their own lives as they see fit," Reid told Virginia Mercury.
Attorney General
Jay Jones (D)
Brief bio: Jay Jones was born and raised in Norfolk. His father, Jerrauld C. Jones, was a member of the Virginia General Assembly from 1988 - 2002. His mother is a judge on the Norfolk Juvenile Domestic Relations Court. Jones studied history and government at William & Mary and earned his law degree from the University of Virginia.
Top priorities: Jones states on his website that he would focus on protecting the right to abortion in Virginia, ensuring a "fair justice system" for all and protecting civil and constitutional rights. He also repeatedly emphasizes that he wants to "protect Virginia against the Trump administration."
"As Attorney General, I'll take on price gouging, housing discrimination, and corporate abuse, while defending reproductive freedom and civil rights," Jones told Virginia Mercury.
Jason Miyares (R) (Incumbent)
Brief bio: Jason Miyares is the current Attorney General in Virginia. He grew up in Virginia after his mother fled from Communist Cuba. Miyares was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2015, serving three terms. He was inaugurated as Virginia's 48th Attorney General in 2022, becoming the first Hispanic American to hold a statewide office in Virginia. Miyares received his J.D. from William & Mary School of Law after studying business at James Madison University.
Top priorities: Miyares says on his website that he plans to focus on the addiction crisis, ensuring the safety of neighborhoods, protecting youth and pushing back against drug and human trafficking.
"The attorney general is the top prosecutor in the state. That's a job I take seriously," Miyares said in an interview with 13News Now. "I'm not a politician. I'm not looking to turn this office into a political office; my office has been about protecting Virginians, and that means all Virginians," Miyares said.
House of Delegates District 71
District 71 includes part of James City County, all of the City of Williamsburg and part of New Kent County. It is currently represented by Del. Amanda Batten, who is being challenged by Jessica Anderson. Batten defeated Anderson by less than 700 votes when the two last ran against each other in 2023.
Jessica Anderson (D)
Brief bio: Jessica Anderson is a resident of Williamsburg. She currently works as a front office receptionist at an elementary school in the district, a role she says provided her with firsthand insight into the inner workings of public education. Anderson is an active member of the local running community.
On the issues: Anderson states on her website that she will prioritize a range of issues if elected, including progressive tax policies, expanded funding for public schools, affordable housing and reproductive freedoms.
"As Delegate, I can do a lot to address economic issues impacting our community, from advocating for a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Virginia, expanding access to healthcare for those who can't afford coverage and encouraging localities to address the affordable housing shortage with creative solutions," she previously told The Triangle.
Amanda Batten (R) (Incumbent)
Brief bio: Amanda Batten, a Toano resident, was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2019 and is now the Caucus Chair of the House Republicans. She serves on the House Courts of Justice, House Education and House Public Safety Committees. Batten is also a member of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees.
On the issues: Batten states on her website that she will prioritize fighting against the rising costs of living in the area and will continue to advocate for her constituents in Richmond.
"Ensuring our local economy is diversified and the cost of living remains reasonable are top concerns," Batten previously told The Triangle. "I understand the importance of working across the aisle to craft commonsense bipartisan policies. As the Majority Caucus Chair of the House of Delegates, I am committed to effectively advocating for policies that will tangibly benefit residents of the 71st District."
House of Delegates District 69
House District 69 is currently represented by Del. Chad Green and consists of portions of York County, James City County, Gloucester County and Newport News. Green has two opponents: Mark Downey and Valerie Beverly.
Mark Downey (D)
Brief bio: Mark Downey is a York County native who has worked as a local pediatrician for 25 years. He does not have a political background but says that he is active in the community. Downey volunteers for the Queens Lake and Bruton High swim teams as well as the Williamsburg Boat Club rowing team.
On the issues: Downey states on his website that he will work to address the cost-of-living crisis by supporting tax incentives for small businesses, advocating for clean energy innovation and developing programs that will help recent graduates find high-demand jobs. His other priorities include protecting Medicaid, backing "common sense" gun control, securing "adequate funding" for public schools and advocating for reproductive freedoms.
"I think my background as a physician allows me to take in information, answer questions, listen and find common ground," Downey said in an interview with podcaster Sam Shirazi.
Chad Green (R) (Incumbent)
Brief bio: Chad Green was raised on the Peninsula and practices law for his own small business in Newport News. Green served on the York County Board of Supervisors for eight years before being elected to the House of Delegates in 2023. He is also a published author, boat captain and licensed commercial waterman.
On the issues: Green states on his website that he will work to address the local affordability crisis by introducing "legislation that puts more money in your pocket," such as the elimination of the car tax. He promoted a bill that would enhance school safety by increasing collaboration between school administrations and law enforcement. Green's other priorities include supporting law enforcement and veterans, holding VDOT accountable for road maintenance and advocating against policies that could jeopardize the beauty and serenity of local waterways.
"What I hear the most from constituents is the impact of rising costs, high taxes and divided politics," Green previously told The Triangle. "I will not go to Richmond to be a partisan. Rather, I hope to work with all of my colleagues for legislation that improves our quality of life and continues to make our area the best place in Virginia to live, work and raise a family."
Valerie Beverly (Independent)
Brief bio: Valerie Beverly is the first African American woman to run for office in the 69th district. Beverly is an ordained minister who has been actively involved in the political arena since 1981.
On the issues: Beverly states on her website that she is a strong supporter of collective bargaining rights and will fight against the state's right to work policy, which she believes disempowers workers. Beverly says she will prioritize increasing the pool of public service workers to help reduce the cost of health care premiums. She also wants to connect children and young adults to work opportunities through "innovative" academic and vocational programs.
"We have a lot of issues that we have to tackle, and I want to be the voice of my community," Beverly said during a WHRO and Williamsburg Watch candidate forum in October. "I want people to understand that what we do impacts your everyday life."
JCC Supervisors: Powhatan District
Ti'Juana Gholson (D)
Brief bio: Ti'Juana Gholson is a local business owner who serves on several James City County-appointed boards, including the Virginia Peninsula Community College Board and the Williamsburg Community Action Agency Board.
On the issues: Gholson says on her website that she wants to bring more high-wage jobs to the county. She would support housing solutions for middle-income families, professionals and retirees who cannot afford the area's market rate housing. Gholson states that she favors community services that would enhance transportation, public safety, elder care and access to healthcare.
"I want to help develop a workforce that will not only encourage young people to stay but entice companies to want to become a part of the county," Gholson told the Virginia Gazette.
Tracy Wainright (R)
Brief bio: Tracy Wainright is an author and speaker with a background in education. A resident of James City County for 23 years, she has worked for WJCC Schools and homeschooled her four children. Wainright has not previously been involved in politics but states that she collaborated with the county on issues surrounding the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the James City County Fair.
On the issues: Wainright says on her website that she supports "responsible taxing and spending" and believes in taking a "common sense" approach to local governance.
In an interview with the Virginia Gazette, Wainright said her top priority, if elected, would be ensuring fiscal responsibility in county policies. She believes the biggest challenge facing the county is the need to balance growth with the importance of maintaining the community's "semi-rural character".
"I'm passionate about our county and helping it thrive," she said. "As a longtime citizen having built two homes in James City County and been an active part of the community, I've heard many concerns I'd like to see addressed through a common-sense, people-centered approach."
JCC Board of Supervisors: Jamestown District
Jim Icenhour (D)
Brief bio: Jim Icenhour is a retired Air Force pilot and retired Delta Air Lines captain. He lives in Fords Colony and has served on the James City County Board of Supervisors for 16 years.
On the issues: Icenhour states on his website that his top priority is keeping growth controlled in James City County while maintaining the community's "rural and historic character." He says he would prioritize school funding, fiscal responsibility and efforts to diversify the local economy by bringing in new industries and businesses.
"For the past eight years our Board has consisted of two Republicans, two Democrats and one Independent," Icenhour told WAVY. "Rarely have we had other than unanimous votes, because we work with each other to make sure that whatever the issue, we are looking out for the best interests of all our citizens."
John Slokovitz (R)
Brief bio: John Slokovitz is the founder of JCR Plumbing and More, which opened in Williamsburg in 2019. He coaches local youth wrestling and baseball teams and volunteers in the community through his church.
On the issues: Slokovitz says on his website that he is "concerned with the very large JCC budget" and new debt. He says he would support policies that would lower taxes, reduce government waste and promote fiscal responsibility.
"I plan to work on bringing JCC back to its roots of being a close knit community that looks out for one another in order to make our community better for future generations," Slokovitz told WAVY.
WJCC School Board: Jamestown District
Ty Hodges
Brief bio: Ty Hodges moved to James City County ten years ago after graduating from Virginia Tech. He previously worked as a local sports reporter and says becoming a father inspired him to want to run for the school board. Hodges says he faced his own personal challenges while in school and wants to make sure parents of struggling students feel seen and heard.
On the issues: Hodges says on his website that he wants to expand learning opportunities for WJCC students who wish to attend college, join the workforce directly or enlist in the armed forces. He would advocate for policies that take bullying and harassment more seriously and would seek to expand mental health resources for students. Additionally, Hodges supports access to free breakfast and lunch for all students.
"I want to help ensure that every WJCC student is safe, supported and successful in and out of the classroom," he told the Virginia Gazette.
Sarah Ortego (Incumbent)
Brief bio: Sarah Ortego is the current Chair of the Williamsburg-James City County School Board. She states on her website that she is running for re-election because she wants to "continue to work to make WJCC a premier school division." Ortego's children have attended WJCC elementary, middle and high schools. Prior to running for the school board, she worked in Washington D.C. and held positions on Capitol Hill, at the White House and at the Department of State. She currently serves on the board of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and volunteers to serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for neglected and abused children.
On the issues: Ortego says her main priorities are ensuring high standards for the school division, closing achievement gaps, supporting a distraction-free learning environment and creating pathways to expand school partnerships with community organizations and businesses.
"I am running for re-election to the Williamsburg-James City County school board because I want to build on the work we've done over the past four years and help ensure that WJCC schools is a premier school division," Ortego told WAVY.
WJCC School Board: Powhatan District
Kimberly Hundley
Brief bio: Kimberly Hundley has served on the WJCC School Board since 2021. Prior to her election, she retired from WJCC Schools after a 35-year-long career as a kindergarten teacher. Additionally, Hundley served as President of the WJCC Education Association for four terms. She is currently running unopposed in the Powhatan district.
On the issues: Hundley told the Virginia Gazette her top priority, if elected, would be to "attract, maintain and fully compensate the exemplary staff" of the WJCC School system. "Without qualified and dedicated staff … we can't educate our students," she said.
Commissioner of the Revenue (City of Williamsburg)
Cash Arehart
The commissioner of the revenue handles tax assessments for the city. Cash Arehart is running unopposed for the position.
Brief bio: This is Arehart's first run for political office. He has worked as the manager of historic interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg since 2021.
On the issues: Arehart states on his website that his priorities include promoting transparency through open communication and accurate assessments, improving service by cutting red tape and treating all citizens with courtesy and efficiency.
Getting to the Polls
The Williamsburg Area Transportation Authority (WATA) is offering free fares on Nov. 4 to help ensure that more people can get to the polls.
"It is WATA's practice to provide rides for free on Election Day to assist people in getting to their polling locations," the Authority said in a statement. "We don't want transportation to be a hindrance to exercising their American right."
Click here to view a list of bus stops that are closest to polling locations in James City County, York County and Williamsburg.
Additional Peninsula Localities
Voter guides for residents of Hampton and Newport News have been developed by WAVY News, complete with information about municipal races.
Click the links below for additional information about voting in the listed locality.
Gloucester County
Poquoson
Election Day Results: What to Expect
Results will begin to be counted shortly after the polls close. In last year's election, the Associated Press first reported results at 7:11 p.m. ET, which was 11 minutes after voting ended. About 95% of all votes had been counted before 4 a.m. the morning after the election.
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