Early voting underway in two Virginia special elections

Voters in parts of Richmond and Chesterfield County can cast ballots Friday as early voting continues for two special elections to fill vacant seats in the Virginia General Assembly.The elections are being held for House District 77 and Senate District 15, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Both races were triggered after Del. Mike Jones resigned his House seat to run for the Senate. Jones won the Democratic nomination for the Senate District 15 seat in a firehouse primary held in December, filling the vacancy left by Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi and prompting special elections for both districts.
House District 77 includes portions of Richmond and Chesterfield County. Democrat Charlie Schmidt won his party’s nomination in a December firehouse primary and is facing Republican Richard Stonage in the Jan. 6 special election.
In Senate District 15, which also covers parts of Richmond and Chesterfield County, Jones is facing Republican John Thomas.
In a social media post, Hashmi encouraged voters in both districts to “make a plan to vote and ensure your voice is heard in these critical races.”
The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates together form the General Assembly, the body responsible for passing state laws and approving the commonwealth’s budget. The Jan. 6 special elections will fill the seats as Virginia prepares for the start of a new administration later this month.
Early in-person voting is available Friday and Saturday at the Chesterfield Central Library. Voters can cast early ballots through Monday.

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