Historic turnout for Virginia’s 2025 primary elections, defied decades of precedent: VPAP

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia voters cast primary ballots on Tuesday at higher rates than they have in decades, according to preliminary data from the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP).

Historically, voter turnout for primary elections is lower when there is no candidate for governor on the ticket. That was the case on Tuesday, June 17, as both the Democratic and Republican nominees had already been chosen.

However, even though precincts looked a little empty, Virginia voters defied expectations this year. More voters turned out on Tuesday than they have for one of the state's non-gubernatorial primaries in over three decades, according to VPAP.

While Tuesday's turnout rate of 7.68% may seem small, it's much higher than other non-gubernatorial years like 2001, 2005 and 2006, where turnout was no larger than 4%.

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It even challenges the turnout rate for some recent gubernatorial years. In 2017, when voters had to nominate someone for both the governor and lieutenant governor races, turnout was 9.89% -- only beating Tuesday's turnout by about 2%.

In 2021, voters had to nominate someone for those same two races as well as the race for attorney general. Still, turnout was 8.23% -- less than 1% higher than Tuesday's, per VPAP's data.

Richmonders in particular showed up this year. Voters in the River City tied with Charlottesville for the highest local turnout rate, which was 17%.

Other Central Virginia localities with higher turnout rates include Charles City County with 14%, Henrico County with 13% and Petersburg with 12%, according to VPAP.

Breaking down Virginia primary election results

Even though VPAP's turnout data for June 17 is up-to-date as of the time of reporting, it remains preliminary. It will likely increase as provisional ballots and some outstanding mail-in ballots are counted, VPAP said.

You can learn more about the unofficial results of Tuesday's primary here. All results are unofficial until certified by the Virginia Department of Elections.