Understanding Virginia Elections

• Governance: According to Article I of the U.S. Constitution, governing election rules established set by state or commonwealth legislatures. The Republican Party in Frederick County and Winchester is governed by Republican Committees, according to rules set by the Virginia GOP (VAGOP) and its bylaws. Committees help identify and develop candidates, protect election integrity and provide the hands-on volunteers to run elections.

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• Timing: Unlike other states, Virginia holds elections every year. This can be exhausting, but each election is critically important to protecting Republican /conservative values in our Shenandoah Valley:

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• In Virginia, elections for national and state executive positions (President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General) are held in even-numbered years. Elections for State legislative positions (State Senate, House of Delegates) are held in odd-numbered years. 

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• In Frederick County, local elections (Board of Supervisors, School Board and Constitutional County Offices) occur in odd-numbered years. Unlike in other states, judges are not elected in Virginia, but Constitutional Officers are. In Winchester, all elections occur in even-numbered years. 

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• Local elections are critically important as they present the interactive face of the local Republican Party to voters, which helps instruct their opinion of the Republican Party for national votes.

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• “Unaffiliated” Candidates: Candidates for School Board and Constitutional Offices (Sheriff, Regional Jail Superintendents, Commonwealth's Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Treasurer, Director of Finance, Commissioner of the Revenue) cannot display their party affiliations on ballots. This can be (and is meant to be) confusing. However, the Republican Party is free to endorse unaffiliated candidates. And we do.

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• Sometimes state and local county elections overlap, resulting in communication failures, long ballot lists, and mass confusion. This is one major reason why it is so important to staff precincts with Republican volunteers (“greeters”) to provide voter guides on all candidates, but especially “unaffiliated” candidates.

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• Voter Registration by Party: Unlike many states, Virginia voters do not register by political party, which allows for open primaries and cross-over voting in certain elections. This can be confusing. Each party holds its own primaries in different locations, so be careful on the time and location of Republican primaries rather than risk inadvertently walking into a Democrat primary (as your's truly once did right after moving to Virginia). 

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• For Virginia elections, you can register at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or online, using the button link below. Proof of citizenship must be provided, such as via a social security number. 

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• Republican Candidates: Republican elections and candidate endorsements are made at the county level through Republican committees, such as the Frederick County Republican Committee (FCRC) or Winchester Republican Committee (WRC). 

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• Participation: To participate in a Republican Committee, all you must do is register with the Committee as a Republican, submit an application, and be voted in by the members. Meetings, typically, are monthly. Come join us…the water is warm and we are all friendly. Especially if you are a new arrival to Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley and/or a refugee from a blue state. All committee meetings are “open” to the public, unless otherwise announced by the committee chair.

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• Committees & Volunteers: Republican Committees are made up of volunteers. The role of the committee is to search for and mentor candidates and manage the election process (primaries and elections). The committees work to ensure election integrity, stage fund-raising events, raise money for local causes, and whip-up enthusiasm for the candidates. Believe us, it’s loads of fun and very gratifying to do our patriotic duty. FCRC election candidates work inside poll stations as officers of elections and election watchers or outside as election greeters.

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• Election Day: In Virginia, election supporters and greeters can help voters and campaign for candidates beyond a 40-ft. distance from the door of the precinct station. Or, in the case of early voting, the Election Registrar’s Office (technically, the Office of Elections and Voter Registration). Republican committees train volunteers to work as election officials and watchers inside the precinct station. Outside, greeters help voters identify the Republican candidates and help create a festive and welcoming voting day experience for voters. Really, it’s good, clean, patriotic fun!

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• State Elections: Virginia governors are elected to a single four-year, non-consecutive term. There are no other Virginia government term limits. State senators serve four-year terms, House delegates serve two-year terms. Locally, Clerks of the Court (a Constitutional office) serve eight-year terms. All other elected officials (headed by Boards of Supervisors in counties City Councils in cities) are elected to four-year terms.

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• For reference purposes, Frederick County and City of Winchester comprise parts of the U.S. 6th Congressional District, Virginia Senate District 1 and two Virginia House Delegate districts (HD-31 and HD-32).

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• To stay in touch with Republican-related events and election-related developments in our area, read the latest issue on the home page of this website, or sign-up for a free subscription to Republican Outreach email newsletter using the button link on the newsletter.