Wide Variation in Primary Turnout

With only one party on the ballot, Virginia legislative primaries held in June by definition result in much lower voter participation than the general election in November. In addition, voters can be forgiven if they are distracted by summer vacation. This visual shows turnout in legislative primaries during the last two off-off year cycles varied from a high of 15.7% to a low of 2.5% of registered voters.

Note: In hover, asterisk (*) denotes incumbent.

Methodology: Includes regular primaries for Virginia's Senate and House of Delegates in 2019 and 2015. Does not include special elections or party-run nomination contests.

Source: Virginia Department of Elections.