RICHMOND, Va. — Not sure if you’ve heard, but there is a rather important election this year.
The 2024 Presidential Election has gone through more twists and turns than the James River, and the importance of Virginia to the national electoral landscape has risen and fallen like the tide, according to political experts.
Republicans felt the Commonwealth was in play for much of the first half year, as former President Donald Trump pulled ahead of President Joe Biden in polling of Virginia voters. But when Biden dropped out of the race in July, Vice President Kamala Harris surged in polling across the Commonwealth.
Democrats have won Virginia in the presidential election every year since 2008. Ultimately, only the final vote tallies following Election Day, Nov. 5, will paint the full picture of which narrative prevailed in the eyes of Virginia voters.
A record number of Virginians are registered to vote this fall in an election that is expected to see significant turnout — in 2020 75% of registered Virginia voters cast a ballot . While plenty of ink and oxygen are used up on the presidential race, the stakes are high for “down ballot” races both on the federal and local levels.