Mail Ballots After Election Day Tighten Margins

Under a new Virginia law, mail ballots received by the Friday after Election Day can be counted if they are postmarked on or before the election. This change means that it's possible that the results could change in an election where the Tuesday night results are close and enough ballots are processed by the Friday deadline.

It hasn't happened yet, but here are the closest races so far since the law went into effect last year.


2021 Republican Primary

VA House District 83

Tim Anderson Chris Stolle Margin
Election Night 1,478 1,451 27
Friday after Election 1 4
Total Votes 1,479 1,455 24

2020 General Election

Hopewell City Council (Ward 4)

Jasmine Gore Ronnie O. Ellis Jr. Margin
Election Night 513 492 21
Friday after Election 501 484
Total Votes 1,014 976 38

Accomack County - Mayor of Onley

Matt D. Hart Henry E. "Ned" Finney Margin
Election Night 125 109 16
Friday after Election 11 15
Total Votes 136 124 12

Source: Virginia Department of Elections

June 24, 2021