RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia voters have just 36 weeks until the next election, as Virginia is one of the few states in the U.S. that holds “off-year elections.”
This means elections occur every year. In 2025, all 100 seats in the House of Delegates up for election, along with the statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. There are also local races in some cities, like Richmond, for constitutional offices like sheriff and Commonwealth's Attorney.
But legislation that was passed by lawmakers during the recently concluded General Assembly session, tasks a commission with looking at whether and how to align Virginia’s off-year elections with federal elections, which occur in even-numbered years.
This tradition of off-year elections in Virginia dates back to the 1850s and 60s when the Commonwealth was updating its state constitution.
"I think it's something we need to look at," Sen. Scott Surovell (D - Fairfax), who carried the legislation, said. "I think voters have a lot of fatigue from elections in Virginia. We have seen have elections every single year."
Surovell argued that syncing the elections could lead to improved voter turnout. Data from the Virginia Department of Elections shows that since 2000, election participation in the year following a presidential election is, on average, 25% lower.
Additionally, Surovell noted that the cost of elections for candidates continues to increase.
Data from the Virginia Public Access Project shows spending in the gubernatorial race increased from over $50 million in 2001 to more than $141 million in 2021.
VPAP shows similar trends, although lower dollar amounts, have also been observed in House and Senate races.
"By not being on the federal cycle creates the need to raise a lot more money than otherwise, because you can't piggyback on the operations by a congressional candidate or a presidential campaign," he said. "It's also cost voters a lot of money to have elections every year, and we could save a lot of taxpayer expense if we weren't having an election every single year."
However, not all lawmakers agree with the proposed changes.
Republican State Senator Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg) contends that if the intention is to reduce election costs, one should consider eliminating the early voting days that were expanded by Democrats several years ago.
"Extended early voting 45 days for primaries and general elections. It does cost a lot of money," Peake said.
He believes that off-year elections allow for more focused campaigning.
"If we go into the same cycle as the federal election, we're always going to be secondary to what's going on at the federal level," Peake said.
"I think people are able to differentiate between the two. And from my perspective, when more people are voting, that's better for everybody," said Surovell.
Surovell said adjustments to the election schedule could take up to eight years due to the complexities involved in the process — including a constitutional amendment that would requires Virginia voters to approve the change.
Because Surovell's proposal is a resolution, it cannot be vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Surovell said the 13 people who will make up the study will likely be appointed in March, with the first meeting likely taking place in April.
A finished report is due ahead of the 2027 General Assembly session.
What do you think about Virginia's election cycle? Email the CBS 6 Newsroom.
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