Special subcommittee considers getting rid of Virginia’s off-year elections

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Are you tired of voting every single year in Virginia? 

If you answered yes, there may be good news on the way. 

On Tuesday, a subcommittee authorized by the General Assembly met in Richmond for the first time to consider the idea of consolidating Virginia’s elections.

Currently, Virginians elect their state officials in odd-number years, a practice that experts say dates back to the 19th century. However, lawmakers and stakeholders on the subcommittee have been tasked with considering moving those elections to better align them with even-year federal elections. 

Long-time Virginia political scientist Dr. Bob Holsworth briefed lawmakers on the political effects of such an idea. Holsworth said voter turnout would go up in state elections if they were moved to presidential election years. 

“For a {State} Senate race, from 40% turnout to 70% turnout, that’s going to be like a 75% increase in turnout if that’s what you do,” Holsworth told the subcommittee. 

Holsworth added that fewer out-of-state dollars could flow into Virginia if the state no longer holds elections in years when most other states don’t.

“I would think that if you’re competing with 20 other states for the same pot, there is going to be less opportunity to access that pot,” Holsworth said.

However, University of Richmond Law Professor Henry Chambers said one thing lawmakers do need to consider is the possibility that candidates and voters may focus on national issues if state and local candidates are on the ballot with those seeking federal office. 

“With consolidation and with all offices being elected at the same time, you may well have folks who lose the thread in some respects on the differences between electing state officials and electing federal officials,” Chambers told the subcommittee. 

The subcommittee will meet again several times this year and next year before making potential recommendations to consolidate Virginia’s elections. That process would require changes to the state constitution and would take several years.