Lower voter turnout in Virginia’s Republican districts paves way for Democrats

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Fewer voters in almost all of Virginia's historically Republican localities came out to decide who would be the first woman to serve as their governor than they did when Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) was first elected.

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Virginians chose Democratic candidates Abigail Spanberger, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) and Jay Jones as their next governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, respectively.

Virginia Democrats also significantly widened their majority in the House of Delegates, gaining 13 seats. They did so by winning all of the districts the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) classifies as competitive, as well as securing six seats in districts that historically lean Republican.

This rise in Democratic leadership could have been driven, at least in part, by decreased voter turnout in several districts that historically vote Republican -- while turnout in most historically Democratic localities either increased or remained steady.

Map: See who your county or city voted for in the 2025 General Election

VPAP compared voter turnout data from the 2021 General Election -- which Youngkin won with 50.57% vote, defeating his opponent Terry McAuliffe (D) by a 2-point margin -- with data from this 2025 General Election.

Not one locality that historically leans Republican increased their voter turnout between 2021 and 2025. Two remained the same, while all others decreased, per VPAP.

It's notable that, even with this overall decrease, several Republican localities still turned out at high rates. Goochland County, which leans Republican, had the highest turnout this year, with 70% of its registered voters casting ballots. Counties like Powhatan and Hanover were not far behind.

By contrast, several historically Democratic localities turned out at higher rates this year than in 2021. This includes localities like Richmond, Williamsburg and Radford.

Gov. Youngkin, House Speaker Scott react to 2025 gubernatorial election results

Further data from VPAP indicates that, across the board, all of Virginia's localities shifted toward Democratic candidates this election cycle. Some of the most dramatic shifts include a more than 22-point shift in Spotsylvania County, an over 21-point shift in Chesterfield County and a nearly 18-point shift in Goochland County.

This reporting is based on preliminary election results from VPAP and outlets like the Associated Press. All election results are unofficial until certified by Virginia’s State Board of Elections.

8News is your Local Election Headquarters. To check out more of our reporting on the 2025 General and Special Elections, click here. For more election results, click here.