Early Voting Is Here to Stay

Last year's pandemic and the advent of a 45-day period of early voting for Election Day appear to have permanently altered voting patterns in Virginia.

Absentee Votes by Year

Vertical bar chart showing the percentage of Virginia voters who voted absentee each year from 2017 to 2021. In 2020, the percentage was the highest at 59.9%.

Partisan Lean of Early and Election Day Votes

Horizontal bar chart showing election results in 2020 and 2021 by early voting and on election day with totals. The Democratic vote is shown in blue, and the Republican vote is shown in red.

2021 Early Voting by Type (In-Person v. Vote by Mail)

Donut circle chart showing the breakdown percentage for early voting methods (in-person and vote by mail) in 2021. Early in-person voting is shown in teal. Early voting by mail is shown in orange.

2021 Partisan Lean of Early Votes by Type (In-Person v. Vote by Mail)

Two donut circle charts showing the partisan breakdown percentage for early voting methods (in-person and vote by mail) in 2021. Democratic vote is shown in blue, and the Republican vote is shown in red.

Note: Values shown as of November 3, 2021 at 3:30 p.m.

Source: Virginia Department of Elections.

Nov. 5, 2021