Richmond voters head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election that could reshape city leadership and help decide the future of the Democratic ticket in Virginia. While the offices up for grabs may not always grab headlines, the low turnout expected in these off-year races means every vote carries real weight.
Two Key Local Races on the Ballot
At the city level, two major positions are up for grabs:
- Commonwealth’s Attorney: Incumbent Colette McEachin is once again facing local attorney Tom Barbour, who challenged her in 2021 from the left. McEachin won handily that year, but the absence of a competitive gubernatorial primary this cycle could change turnout dynamics—and the outcome.
- Sheriff: Antionette Irving, who oversees the city jail and courthouse security, is in a rematch with former Richmond Police Sgt. William Burnett. Their race centers on the ongoing crisis of inmate deaths in the jail. Irving beat Burnett in the 2021 primary with 55% of the vote.
Statewide Decisions: Building the Democratic Ticket
Richmond voters also have a say in shaping the Democratic ticket for the November general election:
- Lieutenant Governor: Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is in a six-way race for the Democratic nomination. Once seen as a likely gubernatorial contender, Stoney shifted his sights to the LG seat after Abigail Spanberger entered the governor’s race. Other candidates in the race include state Sens. Ghazala Hashmi (whose district stretches into South Richmond) and Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach, along with Babur Lateef, Victor Salgado, and Alex Bastani.
- Attorney General: Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor is facing off against former Delegate Jay Jones of Norfolk for the chance to challenge Republican AG Jason Miyares in November.
The winners of these races will join Spanberger—who’s running unopposed for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination—in a high-stakes contest against the Republican slate: Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, John Reid for lieutenant governor, and Miyares for AG.
Turnout Will Be Low — And That’s Why It Matters
Virginia’s Democratic primaries in off-cycle years like this one typically see modest participation. In 2021, only about 8% of registered voters cast a ballot in the statewide Democratic primary—roughly 500,000 people out of over 6 million registered voters.
This year’s early voting numbers suggest a slight uptick in enthusiasm: as of last week, 158,000 early votes had been cast across the state, compared to around 124,000 at the same point in 2021. Still, that represents just 2.5% of the electorate.
For local races in Richmond, where past primaries have been decided by a few thousand votes—or less—the implications are clear: your vote carries outsized influence.
Need to Vote?
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. To find your polling place or check your registration, visit the Virginia Department of Elections online portal.
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