Midterms Put Regional Races and Virginia Amendments Before Voters
Polling places across the region will open Tuesday as voters decide contests that could help determine control of Congress. The ballots also include a new mayoral race in Washington, Maryland’s governor’s race and three proposed amendments to Virginia’s constitution.
In the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser is not seeking another term. Janeese Lewis George, an independent candidate named Rhonda Hamilton and Statehood Green Party candidate Robert L. Gross are running to take her place. Voters will also choose two at-large council members and decide a foie gras measure. Ranked-choice voting applies in races with at least three candidates; noncitizen residents can vote in local, but not federal, races.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, is campaigning for reelection against Republican Dan Cox and Green Party contender Andy Ellis. All eight of the state’s U.S. House seats are also on the ballot. In Virginia, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner faces Republican Bert Mizusawa, alongside House races and three constitutional questions.
The Virginia amendments would address reproductive freedom, marriage equality and voting rights, including automatic restoration of voting rights after release from incarceration for people convicted of felonies. Opponents of the reproductive-freedom proposal are challenging how it was placed on the ballot; a hearing in one case is scheduled for November 13.
Voters who cast early ballots in Virginia cited the economy, inflation, immigration and foreign affairs, as well as the amendments. The state recorded 1,631,722 early votes, more than the 976,558 cast in the 2022 midterms. Polling hours vary by jurisdiction, and ballot-return deadlines differ for mailed ballots.
Voters Can Push Back on Trump and Protect Rights at the Ballot Box
For voters angered by President Donald Trump’s policies, the November 3 elections offer a chance to register opposition while deciding consequential rights questions in Virginia. Voters across the region will also shape congressional contests, and the results will help determine control of Congress.
Virginia’s proposed amendments would establish constitutional protections for reproductive freedom and voting, and remove the state constitution’s ban on same-sex marriage. The voting measure would return the franchise automatically to people with felony convictions once they leave incarceration. Some voters said opposing Trump and supporting the amendments motivated them to vote.
The reproductive-freedom proposal faces a legal challenge over the process used to put it on the ballot. Opponents say required procedures were not followed and have indicated they intend to contest the proposal’s validity should voters pass it; a hearing in one case is set for November 13. The challenge puts the ballot process itself at stake as voters weigh the proposal.
Virginia voters also cited inflation, gas prices, immigration and foreign affairs. Early voting produced 1,631,722 ballots, exceeding the 976,558 cast in the 2022 midterms. The ballot includes Democratic Sen. Mark Warner’s race against Republican Bert Mizusawa and every Virginia U.S. House contest.
The regional ballot also features Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s campaign to keep his seat, facing Republican Dan Cox and Green Party contender Andy Ellis, plus a three-way race to replace D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is not seeking another term.
Economic Frustration and Accountability Shape Election Day Choices
Economic pressure and concerns about government are central to the choices voters face on November 3. Virginians cited inflation, food and grocery costs, gas prices, immigration and corruption among the issues motivating their votes, while some said they were backing Republican candidates or voting a straight Republican ticket.
Virginia’s early-vote total reached 1,631,722, well above the 976,558 ballots cast in the 2022 midterms. The state’s ballot includes Democratic Sen. Mark Warner’s reelection race against Republican Bert Mizusawa, all U.S. House contests and three proposed constitutional amendments.
Those amendments concern reproductive freedom, marriage equality and voting rights. The voting proposal would reinstate voting eligibility automatically for those with felony convictions once they are out of prison. The reproductive-freedom measure is also being challenged: opponents contend officials failed to follow required procedures in placing it on the ballot and say they will seek to invalidate it if approved. A hearing in one case is scheduled for November 13.
Maryland voters are also selecting a governor, with Democrat Wes Moore campaigning to retain his office against Republican Dan Cox and Green Party contender Andy Ellis. All eight Maryland U.S. House seats are contested. In Washington, D.C., three candidates are competing to take over from Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is not running again.
The elections will help decide control of Congress. Voters’ concerns about prices, government and immigration sit alongside other priorities voiced in Virginia, including opposition to Trump and support for the proposed amendments.
