Virginia Election 2019: Voters Decide State House, Senate Control

VIRGINIA — Virginia voters will head to the polls Tuesday for state legislature and local elections. Control of the Virginia House of Delegates hangs in the balance with all 100 House and 40 Senate seats up for grabs. Republicans have slight majorities in both the House and Senate. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in line by 7 p.m. can cast a ballot.

If Democrats would win control over the House and Senate, they'd get control over the state government for the first time since 1993. Despite gains for Democrats in the 2017 election, Republicans kept a 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates with Del. David Yancey winning a tie-breaking drawing over Democratic challenger Shelly Simonds in the 94th District.

The majorities could determine the fate of Democrats' gun control agenda. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam called for a special session after a Virginia Beach gunman killed 12 victims in May, but the Republican-controlled legislature adjourned until after the general election in November.

The legislature has implications for redistricting, which will take place after the 2020 U.S. Census. The General Assembly is tasked with redrawing state legislative and congressional districts, but the legislature endorsed the creation of a redistricting commission in February. It would need another vote in 2020 and voter approval through a referendum in the 2020 general election, according to the nonpartisan Brennan Center.

Check your voter registration status and find your polling place at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. An acceptable form of photo identification is required to cast a ballot in Virginia.

A few problems have been reported at the polls. In Richmond, one precinct did not have enough ballots in the morning, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. In Stafford County, a voter reported that people are being assigned the wrong ballots in a split precinct involving the competitive House District 28 race. The Virginia Department of Elections confirmed to ACLU of Virginia that the issue had been resolved.

Some of the closely-watched races will take place in Northern Virginia. Del. Tim Hugo, the only Republican representing Fairfax County in the House, faces Democratic challenger Dan Helmer in the 40th District. Analysis from the Washington Post suggests gun control and national politics issues could play a role in voters' choices. Hugo has downplayed party ties and touted work on local issues. The Virginia Public Access Project designated the district as competitive.

Another key Fairfax County race has first-term Democrat Kathy Tran facing Republican challenger Steve Adragna in the Democratic-leaning 42nd District. Tran faced backlash earlier in 2019 for her unsuccessful bill regarding late-term abortions. Her comment suggesting the bill would allow infanticide drew controversy, but she later said she misspoke.

The 28th District is up for grabs after Del. Bob Thomas lost the primary. The district, including Fredericksburg and part of Stafford County, will decide the race between Democrat Joshua Cole and Republican Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde III.

Democrats also eye the Republican-leaning 33rd District, which includes parts of Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick counties. Del. David LaRock will face off against Democratic challenger Mavis Taintor.

Democratic Del. Danica Roem, the state's first transgender representative, is up for re-election in the competitive 13th District against Republican Kelly McGinn. Roem was first elected in 2017 on a platform emphasizing fixes for the congested Route 28. The district includes Manassas Park City and part of Prince William County.

Republicans are looking for gains in Northern Virginia districts. Del. Lee Carter, a Democratic socialist representing Manassas City and part of Prince William County, faces Republican Manassas City Councilman Ian Lovejoy in the 50th District. Democratic Del. Elizabeth Guzman faces D.J. Jordan in the competitive 31st District, for parts of Prince William and Fauquier counties. The 51st District race in Prince William County has Del. Hala Ayala against Republican Rich Anderson.

A key Senate race involves the 13th Senate District seat held by retiring Republican Richard Black. Democrat John Bell, the delegate for the 87th House District, is running against Republican Loudoun County Supervisor Geary Higgins. The district is classified as competitive and includes parts of Prince William and Loudoun counties. Republican Sen. Bryce Reeves faces Democrat Amy Laufer in the Republican-leaning 17th District, encompassing Fredericksburg, part of Spotsylvania County and other areas.

In addition to state legislative elections, some jurisdictions will have local elections. Among the races to watch are Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Falls Church City Council, Prince William County Board of Supervisors, Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors and Stafford County Board of Supervisors. Click on the links below for previews of local races.

• Arlington County Election 2019: Voters Choose County Board
• Fairfax County Election 2019: Voters Choose Board Of Supervisors
• General Election 2019: Loudoun County Candidates, Poll Hours
• Election 2019: Prince William County Candidates, Poll Hours, More
• General Election 2019: Manassas City Candidates, Poll Hours, More
• Election 2019: Fredericksburg Area Candidates, Poll Hours, More
• General Election 2019: Fairfax City Candidates, Poll Hours, More
• Falls Church Election 2019: Voters Choose Council, School Board

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