After the first few hours of early voting in Virginia, 432 early birds in Roanoke already cast their ballots for state and local candidates in the 2025 election, according to officials.
Thousands more in Roanoke and millions across Virginia are expected to participate in this election now that 45 days of early voting began at 8 a.m. Friday.
The Virginia Department of Elections is encouraging people to “embrace your inner early bird” by voting early through Saturday, Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Hundreds of Roanoke residents had already voted by 3 p.m. Friday, an employee at the Roanoke City Registrar’s Office said.
These folks were among the first people in Virginia to cast their choices for the state’s next executive branch: Democrat and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, or current Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, former talk-show host Republican John Reid or Democratic state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi for lieutenant governor, and incumbent Republican Jason Miyares or former Del. Jay Jones, a Democrat, for attorney general.
Additionally, all 100 members of Virginia’s House of Delegates are up for election. One contest to watch in this region is the rematch in the 41st House District, where Republican Chris Obenshain defeated Democrat Lily Franklin by a mere 183 votes in 2023, out of almost 25,000 votes cast.
That race in the House district covering parts of Montgomery and Roanoke counties could decide the balance of political power next year in Richmond. As it stands, Democrats hold a slim House majority with 51 seats.
On a larger scale, this election in Virginia is an early test of voters’ reactions to the political climate resonating out of Washington a year after President Donald Trump was elected to a second term and a year before the 2026 congressional elections.
Roanoke voters this year are also casting ballots in a race for sheriff, plus some uncontested local offices. Meanwhile in Roanoke County, there are three school board seats up for vote.
Local registrar’s offices are open for early voting Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The deadline to register or update voter registration, and to apply for a mailed ballot, is Oct. 24.
The Roanoke Times has compiled voter guides with information about the candidates on local ballots in the Roanoke and New River valleys.
2025 Voter Guides: Local elections in the Roanoke and New River valleys
In Blacksburg, two candidates are running for mayor: Michael Sutphin and Pete Macedo.
Voters will elect three at-large town council members from five candidates, listed below in ballot order. Candidates in Blacksburg run as inde…
In Christiansburg, Carl Pauli is challenging incumbent Michael Barber for the town’s mayoral seat.
Voters will elect three at-large town council members, listed below in ballot order. Candidates in Christiansburg run as independents.
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors has three seats on the ballot this November.
The Franklin County School Board will have multiple new faces following this November’s election with several current representatives stepping…
Two candidates are running for Roanoke City Sheriff.
Even though these candidates for office in Roanoke City are running without opposition, here’s a little bit about them:
Voters in the Hollins, Vinton and Windsor Hills districts will each elect one candidate to represent their district on the Roanoke County Scho…
Virginia’s 37th House District: Counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Rockbridge (part); Cities of Buena Visa, Covington, and Lexington.
Virginia’s 38th House District: City of Roanoke (part).
Virginia’s 40th House District: County of Roanoke (part); Cities of Roanoke (part) and Salem.
Virginia’s 42nd House District: Counties of Giles, Montgomery (part), and Pulaski (part); City of Radford.
Virginia’s 39th House District: Counties of Franklin and Roanoke (part).
Virginia’s 41st House District: Counties of Montgomery (part) and Roanoke (part).
Luke Weir (540) 566-8917
luke.weir@roanoke.com
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