Briefs & Currents
November 1, 2024
This edition features:

Election Season Deep Dives: Campaign finance tools, early voting trends, and district profiles

Upcoming Opportunities: Three ways to engage in civic education

Show Me the Money! Test your campaign finance knowledge

Election Timeline: Key dates through certification of results

Dear Educators and Civics Enthusiasts,

Every day at VPAP, I discover another powerful teaching tool hiding in plain sight – a revealing chart about voter turnout, a historical dataset perfect for classroom discussions, or a visual that brings complex political concepts to life. As VPAP’s Civics Education Program Director, I'm thrilled to share these resources with you.

After nearly a decade of teaching social studies, I'm excited to bring my classroom experience and project management skills to VPAP's Civics Navigator program. Whether you're an experienced civics teacher or simply interested in understanding Virginia politics better, I invite you to explore what VPAP's Civics Navigator has to offer.

Warm Regards,
Erin Hill

Ready to Dive into Election Season?

Looking for ways to spark meaningful civic discussions? VPAP has three fantastic resources that bring data to life!

1. Follow the Money – It's How VPAP Began!

Virginia's unique campaign finance landscape has zero contribution limits - yes, you read that right! That's why VPAP began in 1997, making campaign dollars trackable. Want to explore? We've got it all:
  • Presidential race
  • Congressional and State races
  • Local contests – from School Board to Sheriff!
  • Non-candidate political committees (PACs)

Our campaign finance visuals give you a clear window into fundraising this election cycle.

2. Become an Early Voting Detective

Did you know that Virginia's 45-day early voting period is the longest allowed by federal law?

Magnifying glass

Which age group has cast the most ballots so far? Find out in our Early Voting by Age Visual !

Then, check out these 10 interactive prompts to guide your investigation!

Perfect for:
  • Quick classroom explorations – Teachers, need a substitute plan? We've got you covered!
  • Independent analysis or small group discussions
  • Data-driven activities (grades 6+)

Want to see how journalists use VPAP's tools and data to tell Virginia's voting story? Just browse VaNews , where reporters regularly cite our nonpartisan data to add context and facts to their coverage. Here are some recent examples:

  • Track evolving regional patterns - Cardinal News reports that Northern Virginia recently saw a surge in early voting while rural areas maintained steady participation

  • Explore local impacts across Virginia's communities - The Prince William Times recently highlighted how their community has already seen 84,000+ early voters this season - about 25% of eligible voters

  • Monitor regional trends - The Progress Index reports that the Tri-City area is maintaining steady turnout ahead of 2020's pace
Want to explore local patterns? Our Early Voting Dashboard lets you track these numbers in real-time, seeing how your community's voting story unfolds day by day.

3. Explore Your Congressional District Profile and Competitive Races

Want to understand your district's political DNA?
Each profile packs:

  • Interactive maps

  • Voter demographics

  • A fascinating peek into campaign spending and political ads – Pro tip: Check out CD-2 or CD-10 to see why they're Virginia's political hot spots this cycle!

View Your District's Profile Here

Bonus: Election Night Live Coverage!
Our team will be working overtime to bring you live, up-to-the-minute election results. Stay tuned to vpap.org for real-time updates as the returns come in Tuesday night beginning at 7 p.m.!

Calling All Educators!

1. Virginia Civics Summit 2024

  • When: November 11

  • Where: Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC)

  • Who: Division staff and teachers (Civics/Economics and VA/US Government)

  • What: VPAP kicks off with "Bring Civics to Life with VPAP's Civics Navigator!"

  • Perks: Free lunch, classroom resources, and parking

  • Register now : First-come, first-served basis

2. We The People Competition

Volunteer judges needed for December and February contests! New to We The People? Watch Retro Report's four-part series, “Citizen Nation,” showcasing this transformative civics competition, featuring Virginia teams. Ready to judge? Sign up here

3. Model General Assembly 2025

  • Support Virginia YMCA's 78th annual historic simulation

  • Volunteer with Youth and Government Clubs

  • Learn more and register high school students for this immersive experience

Show Me the Money! 💰 Test Your Campaign Finance Savvy

🎯 Round 1: The Basics

At what dollar amount do candidates need to spill the beans on their donors?

🔍 Round 2: Detective Work

Which detail is NOT required when reporting those donors?

A) Donor's full name (obviously!)

B) Their political party (hmm...)

C) Where they work

D) Where they live

💸 Round 3: Big Money Moves

Non-candidate political committees (PACs) must report mega-donations within 3 business days. How mega are we talking?

A) $5,000

B) $7,500

C) $10,000

D) $15,000

🌟 Bonus Round: Industry Leaders

Which two sectors are leading in 2024 donations to Virginia candidates and committees?

Ready to dive deeper into campaign finance? Explore VPAP's money-in-politics tools !

(answers at the end)

Make Virginia Politics Real

VaNews, our daily news roundup, brings classroom learning to life!

Here's how educators use it:

  • Keep a pulse on Virginia politics through a nonpartisan lens

  • Compare coverage across sources to practice media literacy skills

  • Connect theoretical concepts to real-world events as they unfold

  • Analyze how different outlets present the same story and data

  • Guide students in spotting regional perspectives and potential bias

Want these real-world civics insights in your inbox?

Subscribe to VaNews

📅 Key Election Dates

November 2

  • Last day for in-person absentee voting

November 5: Election Day

  • 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Polls open

  • 7:10 p.m. | First results reported

November 6-8

  • Mail ballot processing continues

  • Provisional ballot review begins

December 2

  • State Board certifies results

Want to see the entire timeline? Check out our 2024 Election Timeline Visual .

Using Civics Navigator in your classroom?

Send us your stories and photos - you might be featured in our next newsletter!

Have a topic suggestion or question? Email us at civics@vpap.org .

Know an Educator Who Would Enjoy Civics Navigator?


Share

Thanks for sharing and playing a key role in advancing civics education in Virginia! Share with a friend or fellow teacher using the link below.

Round 1: Contributions over $100 require the full scoop on who's giving!

Round 2: B) Political party - Nope, not needed! Campaigns must report the occupation and employer of their donors, which VPAP translates and compiles into easy-to-understand industry sectors. Check it out!

Round 3: C) $10,000 - When the big bucks roll in (like from gaming companies expanding into Virginia's newly legalized casino market), the State Board of Elections needs to know within 3 business days! You'll find many of these mega-donations under "Retail, Services" as casino operators pursue licenses and development rights across the Commonwealth.

Bonus: "Retail, Services" and "Real Estate/Construction" are topping the charts! Meanwhile, donors from the manufacturing, agriculture, organized labor, and transportation industries are contributing at lower levels this year.