HISTORIC TRIANGLE — We are nearly at the halfway point of Virginia’s 45-day early voting period, and reports from across the Commonwealth point to unusually strong early voting turnout this year.
The first two days of early voting broke records set in 2020, up 38% statewide from the highest recorded turnout numbers.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 9, James City County (JCC) saw 10,245 voters come in person and cast their ballot out of the 66,571 current registered voters said Dianna Moorman, JCC Director of Elections.
Including mailed ballots, 24.4% of the ballots have already been issued in JCC according to Moorman.
The number of registered voters is increasing daily, added Moorman, and “will continue to increase until the end of the voter registration deadline of Oct. 15.”
Voting early can come with a few perks. There usually are no lines to wait in and you can choose a day and time that is most convenient for you.
“Right now, we average a 23 seconds to process a voter. It is an extremely quick process. It takes less than 5 minutes from the time you leave your car, come inside, show your ID, voting your ballot, putting it in the machine and getting that very coveted ‘I Voted’ sticker,” stated Moorman.
A lesser-known bonus, “You can turn off the news. You have peace of mind to know that your ballot was cast and counted and you don’t have to worry about anything else. Many voters do not realize that the parties get a list of those who have voted on a daily basis. We do not know how you voted but they do get a list of who voted. This is available to all (political) parties through the Department of Elections — because of the Freedom of Information Act — and, because they get the list, the parties want to focus their funds on those that have not yet voted. So, immediately, it takes your name off the roll,” Moorman said.
This means you will see a reduction in mailers, fliers and even calls from parties hoping to sway your vote.
In addition to casting a ballot in person, many Virginia’s are taking advantage of mailing in their ballots.
However, throughout Virginia, voters are being advised not to wait on returning their mail ballots due to ongoing concerns about delays within the U.S. Mail system. Voters are also advised to call their local elections office if a ballot they were expecting has not yet arrived.
In James City County, citizens can cast their early in-person ballots at the Vote Center on 4095 Ironbound Road through Nov. 2 during the following hours: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
York County citizens can vote in person early at either 5322 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, or 6614 Mooretown Road, Ste. A, Williamsburg through Nov. 1 during the following hours: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. On Oct. 18 (Yorktown Day Observed) both offices will be closed.
In-person, early voting for City of Williamsburg voters will be available at 401 Lafayette St. Williamsburg during the following hours: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Important Links for More Information:
- Information on individual candidates, voting districts and district profiles can be found through the Virginia Department of Elections
- Virginia Department of Elections citizen portal
- Ballotpedia for candidate information and profiles
- Acceptable forms of voter identification
- James City County Office of Elections
- City of Williamsburg Voter Registrar
- York County Voter Registrar
