#VIRGINIA RACE NATIONAL DOMINATE AD WARS ANDROID#

Counties are expected to release the results of their mail ballots first, followed by early in-person votes and, finally, votes cast at local polling places on Election Day. This year, a new state law requires counties to start processing mail ballots at least seven days before Election Day so they can be counted and released on election night soon after the polls close at 7 p.m. The late swing in favor of Biden was especially big because most counties, including Fairfax, the state’s largest, released the results of their mail ballots at the end of the night, and Virginia’s mail ballots heavily favored Democrats. Once the Democratic counties reported, the race flipped in Biden’s favor and he ultimately won by a comfortable margin.

In 2020, Trump jumped out to a huge early lead over Biden that lasted until early Wednesday, when heavily Democratic counties in northern Virginia finished counting their mail ballots. WHEN WILL WE KNOW THE WINNER?īe wary of early returns in Virginia because they might not resemble the final results. Likewise, if Democrats hold the margins from their successful 2017 gubernatorial race there, it'd be a sign of continued trouble for Republicans in highly educated suburbs. If Youngkin makes inroads in northern Virginia and in the Richmond suburbs, it's a sign he was able to successfully walk the line. The best sign that Youngkin's gambit works will be how he performs in the affluent northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., once a bastion of the Republican Party but now a key part of the Democratic coalition. That's enabled him to appeal both to suburban voters resentful of their local school districts and to hard-line Trump voters who see the education debate as central to their political identity.Įarly Voting Hits Record High in Virginia Ahead of Dead-Heat Governor's Race He even waded into a murky sexual assault allegation and resurrected a debate about banning books. Seizing on widespread discontent with schools during the pandemic and heated debates about race, Youngkin has criticized schools over hot-button conservative issues like critical race theory. It's those education attacks that offer the most encouraging path for Republicans. Rather than engaging, Youngkin has gone after McAuliffe on taxes and especially education. Youngkin has stayed on message even as McAuliffe hammered him for being a stalking horse for Trump. He positioned himself as a nonthreatening suburban dad in a fleece vest, but steadfastly refused to denounce the former president, who remains popular among Republicans. Youngkin, in his first bid for public office, is showing Republicans a potential way forward in the post-Trump era. CAN REPUBLICANS RECLAIM SUBURBAN VOTERS TURNED OFF BY TRUMP? YOUNGKIN A KEY TEST FOR GOP Just a five-seat swing in the House or a single one in the Senate could flip a chamber. Even a narrow win for Democrats in a state they won by double digits last year will be little comfort as the party tries to hold onto its incredibly tight congressional majorities in next year's midterms. Biden's approval number have slouched amid a stalemate over his economic agenda in Congress, his pullout from Afghanistan, rising inflation and the persistence of the coronavirus.ĭemocrats' best bet may be that the unexpectedly tight race - along with the threats to abortion rights and continued messaging on Trump - jolts their base and pushes them to the polls. McAuliffe's campaign notes he's running in a tough environment for any Democrat. Youngkin has avoided being seen with Trump - or any national GOP leaders - and has kept his focus on education, spending and other state issues. Terry McAuliffe has been trying to fire up his voters by casting Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin as a “Trump wannabe.” But it's not clear the label is sticking.

#VIRGINIA RACE NATIONAL DOMINATE AD WARS ANDROID#

Get the NBC 6 South Florida app for iOS or Android and pick your alerts.

Stay informed about local news and weather during the hurricane season.

Virginia race national dominate ad wars