Withholding the weight of the 2020 Presidential race remains the six democratic presidential candidates and the general public’s expectations for a candidate of their choice to take the podium with number 45, President Trump, this fall. Yet for Virginia and many other states, that pre-decision is certainly closer than you may think.
As political tensions begin to rise and the concern for how to assert yourself and voice this upcoming election, this will serve as an attentive guide to the Primary.
Kicking off on Tuesday, March 3, registered voters of Virginia will be granted the opportunity to participate in the Presidential Primary. Expected to challenge Trump are six democratic candidates; Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Joseph Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Mike Bloomberg and Amy Klobuchar. These nominees are running for Trump's position and toward your vote at the ballot, yet only one will be chosen on your ballot as President.
Now considering that Virginia is an open primary state, the state does not necessarily require registered voters to register by a specific political party. That said this especially plays a vital role this upcoming voting season as voters can cast their ballot regardless of party, although Democrats are the only party holding a presidential primary. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL.org), “This system gives voters maximal flexibility—allowing them to cross party lines—and maintains their privacy.”
Contrary, Virginia Republicans nominate their party’s nominee to the Republican National Convention at the state convention, which will almost certainly be Trump.
As candidates gear up for the big stage, voters within the next week will trickle down who to mark, yet in order to do that certain documents will be needed.
Prior to showing up to the polls, you as the intended voter need to assure that an acceptable form of ID is on hand, such as a Virginia driver’s license, DMV-issued photo ID, birth certificate and or other forms of self-represented documents.
Now fulfilling the intentions to vote in the upcoming week, polling place locations will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and can be found via The Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal. For college students the most accessible form to cast your vote is perhaps by mail. The Virginia Department of Elections listed the deadline dates to file for an absentee ballot:
• Absentee ballot by mail application: 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2020.
• Absentee ballot by appearing in-person: 5:00 p.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020.