If you’re sitting there wondering when do we vote for governor in Virginia, you aren't alone. It’s actually one of the most common questions for new residents or anyone who just survived a massive presidential election cycle and needs a breather. Most of the country votes for their governors during the big "even" years—either alongside the President or during the midterms.
But Virginia? We like to be different.
Honestly, Virginia is one of only two states (New Jersey being the other) that holds gubernatorial elections in the year immediately following a presidential race. Since we just wrapped up the 2024 cycle, that means the big show is happening right now in 2025.
The Short Answer: Mark Your 2025 Calendar
Basically, the next time you’ll head to the polls to pick a governor is Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Because of how the Commonwealth’s constitution is set up, this happens every four years. If you’re a math person, just think: Presidential Year + 1. We voted in 2021, we are voting in 2025, and we’ll do it again in 2029.
It’s a bit of a marathon. While most of the nation gets a "political day off" in the odd years, Virginia becomes the center of the political universe. Every four years, the entire country stares at us to see which way the wind is blowing.
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Why Virginia Votes in Odd Years
It feels sort of random, doesn't it? Well, it mostly is. History tells us this dates back to the mid-19th century. Back then, the 1850 Constitution moved the state to popular elections for the governor. The first one just happened to land in 1851.
We just stuck with it.
Some folks argue this "off-year" system is great because it lets us focus on state-specific issues like I-95 traffic, Richmond’s budget, or local school funding without the noise of a White House race. Others, like Professor Jatia Wrighten from VCU, have pointed out that these elections often see lower turnout, which can shift the results in ways you wouldn't see in a high-energy presidential year.
The "One and Done" Rule (No Incumbents Allowed)
Here is the weirdest part about the Virginia governor’s race: we are the only state in the entire U.S. that forbids a governor from serving two terms in a row.
Current Governor Glenn Youngkin, who took office in early 2022, cannot run for re-election in 2025. He’s what we call a "lame duck" from the moment he's sworn in. It’s a wild system. It means every single time we vote for governor, it’s an open seat with no incumbent advantage.
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- Pro: We get fresh ideas and a new face every four years.
- Con: It’s hard for a governor to finish big, long-term projects when they know they’re out the door in 48 months.
You can actually serve again later, just not right now. For example, Mills Godwin served as the 60th and 62nd governor. Terry McAuliffe tried to do the same in 2021 but lost to Youngkin.
What the 2025 Ballot Looks Like
Since we are in the 2025 cycle, the field is already set. This isn't just about the governor, either. When you go to vote, you’re picking the "Big Three" statewide offices:
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
Plus, all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are usually on the line. It's a total reshuffle of the state government.
For 2025, the race is a historic one. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and U.S. Representative, is the Democratic nominee. On the Republican side, we have the current Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears. No matter who wins, Virginia is poised to elect its first-ever female governor, which is a massive deal for the Commonwealth.
Don't Wait Until November: Key Voting Dates
If you want to actually have a say in when do we vote for governor in Virginia, you need to know the deadlines. Virginia has some of the most flexible early voting laws in the country, so you don't actually have to wait until November 4th.
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The 2025 Cheat Sheet
- Early In-Person Voting Starts: Friday, September 19, 2025. You can literally walk into your local registrar's office and vote more than a month early.
- Deadline to Register: Monday, October 13, 2025 (though Virginia now allows "Same Day Registration" via provisional ballots if you miss this).
- Deadline to Request a Mail-In Ballot: Friday, October 24, 2025.
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Why This Vote Actually Matters
I get it. Politics is exhausting. But the Virginia governor has a ton of power that affects your daily life way more than the President often does.
They decide on the state gas tax. They influence how much your kids' teachers get paid. They have the "line-item veto," meaning they can cross out specific parts of a budget bill they don't like without killing the whole thing.
In a state that's as "purple" as Virginia—where the margins are often razor-thin—your single vote in an off-year election carries significantly more "weight" than it does in a massive presidential turnout.
Your Next Steps
- Check your status: Head over to the Virginia Department of Elections website to make sure you’re still registered at your current address.
- Locate your registrar: If you’ve moved recently, you need to update this before October to avoid the headache of provisional voting.
- Plan your day: Decide now if you’re an "Election Day regular" or if you’d rather knock it out on a random Tuesday in October during the early voting window.
Voting for governor is the most direct way to shape the future of the Commonwealth. See you at the polls on November 4th.
Actionable Insight: If you plan on voting by mail, don't wait for the October 24th deadline. Post offices get slammed during election seasons, and Virginia law requires mail-in ballots to be postmarked by Election Day and received by the registrar by noon on the following Friday. Apply for your ballot by early October to stay safe.