Early voters were lined up Friday morning outside polling locations across Hampton Roads to get the first chance at choosing our next slate of leaders.
Those who want to beat the Election Day rush Nov. 5 can vote early through Nov. 2 at their local general registrar’s office. There were hundreds of people seen waiting in line in Virginia Beach, and some were in line for about an hour in Chesapeake, according to social media posts.
The Norfolk registrar’s office said 733 people voted early on Friday.
The weather was relatively mild and partly sunny after a rainy few days for those who had to wait outside.
While early voting turnout rose significantly in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, political experts say it’s here to stay due to the increased popularity across the nation since then. Former Gov. Douglas Wilder, who heads the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, said in some cases, early voting can be a tool for candidates when campaigning as turnout can help them gauge voter interests and whether their messages are resonating.