Welcome to Charlottesville Tomorrow’s 2026 Central Virginia Voter Guide!
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026!
Here you can find Q&As with candidates for federal, state and local offices on your ballot this year. (Scroll down for an easy-to-use ballot lookup tool, or to look by locality.) The questions were designed based on input from community members who responded to our voter survey this year — to everyone who responded, thank you!
The polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m to 7 p.m. As long as you’re in line by 7 p.m, you can vote! Find your polling location using the Citizen Portal. Virginia also allows unregistered voters to cast provisional ballots during early voting and on Election Day. Those ballots will be counted after election officials verify the voter’s eligibility to vote.
This guide is here to provide information to help you decide who you want to represent you. It covers all eligible races in 11 central Virginia counties and the City of Charlottesville. (It doesn’t include the greater Richmond area because there are more media outlets providing information on those races.) It also includes information on the three statewide and local referendums you’ll see on your ballot this year.
Charlottesville Tomorrow has published a voter guide for 20 years. We expanded beyond the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County in 2023, after we heard from many people that they wanted more information in the region. Sign up for the free Voter Guide email newsletter to get updates.
Sometimes, it’s hard to get information about local races. If you have information or see an error in this guide, please reach out and let us know.
During the general election, voters across the state will also decide three additional proposed constitutional amendments addressing reproductive rights, marriage equality and the restoration of voting rights for people with felony convictions.
Candidate information for statewide races
U.S. Senate
Q&A for U.S. Senate shows Virginia’s Warner and Mizusawa agree data centers are a problem, but they’d fix it differently
The candidates also split sharply on housing, health care and immigration, offering few areas of common ground beyond shared unease over data centers.
Q&A with Virginia’s three Republican primary candidates for U.S. Senate
Data centers emerged as one of the biggest points of disagreement between the three candidates. From nuclear-powered data centers to stronger local control, the candidates offered competing visions for Virginia’s future.
U.S. House of Representatives District 5
Data centers, Valley Link and AI split the 5th District candidates in Q&A
Incumbent Rep. John McGuire says data centers are necessary to win the “AI race against China,” while challengers Tom Perriello and Cooke Harvey want more guardrails.
Q&A with three candidates seeking Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 5th District
The candidates share similar concerns about housing costs and presidential power, but diverge on immigration enforcement, offering very different visions for the future of ICE.
Q&A with the two Republican primary candidates for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District
Data centers and energy policy showed a clear divide. Lucero prioritized protecting communities from corporate ‘abuse,’ while McGuire focused on cutting regulations to encourage new power plants and transmission lines.
U.S. House of Representatives District 7
7th District Q&A finds candidates sharply divided on what oversight of the president should look like
“The purpose of Congress is not to serve as a check to the executive branch or any other branch of government,” Republican candidate Doug Ollivant wrote. Other candidates disagreed, describing Congress’ role in the federal system of checks and balances — established by the U.S. Constitution — as central to the job.
Q&A with Republican primary candidates for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District
Rick Smithers and Philip Harding have responded, providing answers with strikingly different tones while sharing similar visions on issues from the Valley Link transmission line to rural jobs. Ollivant has not responded.
Statewide referendums
More on the referendums
Learn about the ballot referendum on automatically restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated people
The loss of voting rights due to felony convictions disproportionately affects Black Virginians, according to research from the Sentencing Project.
Here’s what the ballot referendum on same-sex marriage means for Virginians
The referendum would reverse a 2006 amendment that banned same-sex marriages in the state, which the courts said was unconstitutional.
The reproductive freedom question on your ballot explained
Virginia voters will decide whether to change what the state constitution says about reproductive health, including birth control, prenatal care, abortion and miscarriage management.
Local candidate and referendum information for counties, cities and towns
Albemarle County
With high schools ‘at or over capacity,’ Albemarle County voters will consider a 1% local sales tax referendum for school construction
Albemarle County Public Schools has six priority capital projects, but only one is currently funded.
Scottsville (Town)
Can Scottsville grow without pricing out its own? Town Council candidates describe their visions in Q&A
Candidates also weigh in on traffic safety, lost pharmacy access and how to mitigate flood risk.
Appomattox County
Appomattox County has no local races or referendums this year, but you will see statewide referendums and candidates for congressional offices on your ballot.
Appomattox (Town)
Incumbent Richard Conner is running unopposed for mayor of Appomatox
We asked Conner about affordable housing, water supply and data centers. He did not respond.
Three Appomattox Town Council candidates are running unopposed
We asked the three incumbents about data centers, the town’s water supply and workforce housing. None of them responded.
Buckingham County
Carter Allen is running unopposed in Buckingham County Board of Supervisors special election
We asked Allen, who was appointed as interim supervisor for District 7 in January, about the Valley Link transmission line, rural healthcare and more. He did not respond.
Charlottesville City
Charlottesville adds 1% local sales tax referendum to the ballot to raise money for new preschool and high school renovations
Charlottesville is one of 47 Virginia localities to ask voters to allow them to impose the 1% sales tax.
Cumberland County
Cumberland County has no local races this year, but you will see statewide referendums and candidates for congressional offices on your ballot.
Dillwyn (Town)
The Town of Dillwyn has no local races this year, but you will see candidates for Buckingham County and for congressional offices, along with statewide referendums, on your ballot.
Fluvanna County
Proposed sales tax could bring in $1.5 million to $2 million a year for Fluvanna County schools
“If the referendum is approved, we would work collaboratively with county leadership to determine the most appropriate and immediate priorities for the funding,” Superintendent Peter Gretz said.
Gordonsville Town
Gordonsville Town Council candidates agree EMS wait times must improve, diverge on how to tackle affordability challenges in Q&A
Nick Paxton said the town should make better use of services and resources it already has, and Mary “Cyd” Black says the town needs more affordable housing.
Greene County
Greene County is growing. How should its Board of Supervisors respond?
“Growth is inevitable, but poorly planned growth is not,” said Greene County BOS candidate Alex Salle in our voter guide Q&A.
Greene County voters to decide on 1% sales tax as schools forecast increased enrollment
“Because Ruckersville Elementary is already at 95% capacity, absorbing an additional 630 students would push the building to nearly double its physical capacity,” said Kelly Greer, member of the Greene County School Board.
Stanardsville (Town)
Stanardsville Town Council Q&A turns up a warning about the town’s water supply
“I encourage the voters of Stanardsville to politely contact the Greene County Board of Supervisors to accelerate improving the water situation,” said candidate Kevin Kelley. “We are currently at the edges of water capacity, and urgently need a better water system.”
Unopposed mayoral incumbent Michael Payne emphasizes need to prepare for population growth in the Town of Stanardsville
“The Blue Ridge Meadows development will nearly double our population,” said Payne.
Louisa County
Louisa County has no local races this year, but you will see statewide ballot referendums and candidates for congressional offices on your ballot. The towns of Louisa and Mineral are holding local elections.
Louisa (Town)
The Town of Louisa hasn’t been fully staffed for years. Town Council candidate Vicky Harte shares ideas on how that can change in Q&A
Vicky Harte responded to our candidate Q&A. Her opponent Durvin Corker did not.
Two candidates are running for two open seats on Louisa’s Town Council
Graven Craig and David Purcell did not respond to our candidate questionnaire, which included questions about local businesses, community spaces and more.
Louisa Mayor Ashley Michael, who is running unopposed for her seat, says creating public spaces is ‘a high priority’
In her candidate Q&A, Michael also promised better communication, and careful deliberation on data centers and future development.
Mineral (Town)
Robert “Bob” Spedden is running unopposed for mayor in Mineral
Spedden, who currently serves on Mineral Town Council, did not respond to our voter guide questionnaire.
Candidates for Mineral Town Council say it would be a mistake to dissolve the town in Q&A
The six candidates who responded to our Q&A also point to town water issues as a top priority to address.
Madison County
Madison County voters will consider local sales tax for public school capital projects
A study is currently underway to determine whether Madison County’s middle and high schools need major renovations, or whether the county needs a completely new secondary school complex.
Nelson County
Nelson County voters will consider referendum to allow a 1% local sales tax for school construction and renovations
Superintendent Amanda Hester has already identified potential projects, while Supervisor Jesse Rutherford says the funding should be the state’s responsibility.
Orange County
Orange County voters to decide on 1% sales tax to narrow school infrastructure funding gap
From HVAC issues to wastewater treatment, Orange County Public Schools cite more than $28 million in infrastructure and facilities needs as voters head to the polls.
Orange (Town)
Major chains, Latin American grocers or a bigger farmer’s market? Orange Town Council candidates split on how to land a second grocery store
Candidates also offer diverging views on data center development, housing costs and public spaces in Q&A.
Pamplin (Town)
Three candidates are running for three open seats on Pamplin’s Town Council
We sent them questions about downtown development, budget priorities and flood preparedness. None of them responded.
Incumbent Sarah Hamlett Blackwell is running unopposed for mayor in Pamplin
We sent Blackwell questions about downtown development, town budget priorities and flood preparedness. She did not respond in time for publication.
Unopposed Pamplin Town Council candidate Jessica Arnold says she will work to fund targeted projects to make the town safer, more inviting
“We may be a small town, but it doesn’t mean we have to stand still,” Arnold said.
Prince Edward County
Prince Edward Superintendent hopes 1% sales tax referendum provides ‘a dedicated funding source’ for school construction and renovations
County residents can vote the new local sales tax in a referendum on their ballots this fall.
Farmville (Town)
In Q&A, Brian Vincent says there’s no room for party politics in Farmville’s mayoral race
“Town government is about water lines, fire trucks, budgets and housing. None of that is Republican or Democrat,” said Brian Vincent, who is running for re-election against Christian Fox. Fox did not respond to Q&A.
Incumbent Adam B. Yoelin is running unopposed to represent Ward B on Farmville Town Council
Yoelin answers community-sourced questions about housing, healthcare, data centers and more.
John Miller, who is running unopposed in Farmville’s at-large Town Council race, says he is looking for ‘creative ways’ to encourage affordable housing
Miller also discusses water supply and aging infrastructure in his candidate Q&A.
Two candidates are running to represent Ward C in Farmville’s Town Council election
Patrick Carwile is challenging longtime incumbent A. D. Chuckie Reid. Neither responded to Charlottesville Tomorrow’s candidate questionnaire.
John Hardy is running unopposed for Town Council in Farmville’s Ward A
Hardy is seeking a second term, but did not answer our questions about housing affordability, the closure of Centra Southside’s labor and delivery unit, and more.
Here are key dates and deadlines in the 2026 elections
| Friday, March 6, 2026 – Saturday, April 18, 2026 | Early voting for the special election on a constitutional amendment to allow state lawmakers to redraw the congressional district map. Voting is available weekdays at local registrar’s offices. Registrar's offices will also be open for voting Saturday, April 11 and Saturday, April 18. |
| Friday, April 10, 2026, 5 p.m. | Deadline to apply to your local registrar's office for your ballot to be mailed to you or to apply for an absentee ballot using the Citizen Portal for the special election. Requests must be received by your local registrar’s office by 5 p.m. |
| Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration for the special election. You can still vote in the special election if you miss this deadline by registering at the polling place and casting a provisional ballot. |
| Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | Special Election Day! |
| Friday, July 24, 2026 | Last day to register to vote in the primaries. Deadline to apply to your local registrar’s office for your ballot to be mailed to you or to apply for an absentee ballot using the Citizen Portal for the primary election. Requests must be received by your local registrar’s office by 5 p.m. |
| Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 | Last day for early voting in the primaries. Local registrar’s offices will be open this Saturday until 5pm. |
| Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 | Primary Election Day! |
| Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 – Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 | Early voting is available weekdays for the General Election. You can vote in your local registrar’s office or in satellite locations, depending on your locality. Contact your local registrar’s office to find out where to vote in your area. |
| Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 | Last day to register to vote in the General Election. Check your voter registration status using the Citizen Portal. If you don't register by today, you can still vote! Virginia allows unregistered voters to cast provisional ballots during early voting and on Election Day. Those ballots will be counted after election officials verify the voter's eligibility to vote. |
| Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 | Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot. Applications should be submitted by 5 p.m. Apply online using the Citizen Portal or fill out the Absentee Application Form and submit it to your local registrar’s office by mail, fax, or email. |
| Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 and Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 | Early voting extends its normal hours to open on Saturdays the last two weeks before election day. Contact your local registrar’s office to find out where to vote in your area. |
| Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 | General Election Day! |
We will update this list periodically as deadlines approach or we receive new information.
Register to vote, check your registration, find your polling place and apply to vote absentee at the Virginia Department of Elections here. Remember, even if you miss registration deadlines, you can register through Election Day and vote using a provisional ballot.
Need to know if you’re eligible to vote? Here are resources from the Virginia Department of Elections.
More about elections in Virginia
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This year's primary election was postponed from its usual June date. That's because voters were asked in April to decide whether to amend the Virginia Constitution to allow state lawmakers to redraw the congressional district map. Congressional district maps are usually redrawn only once every 10 years after the U.S. census. The amendment would have allowed Virginia to redraw its map earlier, a move supported by Democrats who hoped to redraw congressional districts in ways that could benefit their party after Republicans did the same in several other states.
Virginia voters approved the amendment, but conservative groups immediately challenged it in court. A judge blocked the new districts from taking effect, and the Virginia Supreme Court later struck down the amendment, leaving the current congressional map unchanged.
Candidate Q&As for the 2026 primary election
U.S. Senate
Q&A for U.S. Senate shows Virginia’s Warner and Mizusawa agree data centers are a problem, but they’d fix it differently
The candidates also split sharply on housing, health care and immigration, offering few areas of common ground beyond shared unease over data centers.
Q&A with Virginia’s three Republican primary candidates for U.S. Senate
Data centers emerged as one of the biggest points of disagreement between the three candidates. From nuclear-powered data centers to stronger local control, the candidates offered competing visions for Virginia’s future.
5th Congressional District
Data centers, Valley Link and AI split the 5th District candidates in Q&A
Incumbent Rep. John McGuire says data centers are necessary to win the “AI race against China,” while challengers Tom Perriello and Cooke Harvey want more guardrails.
Q&A with three candidates seeking Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 5th District
The candidates share similar concerns about housing costs and presidential power, but diverge on immigration enforcement, offering very different visions for the future of ICE.
Q&A with the two Republican primary candidates for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District
Data centers and energy policy showed a clear divide. Lucero prioritized protecting communities from corporate ‘abuse,’ while McGuire focused on cutting regulations to encourage new power plants and transmission lines.
7th Congressional District
7th District Q&A finds candidates sharply divided on what oversight of the president should look like
“The purpose of Congress is not to serve as a check to the executive branch or any other branch of government,” Republican candidate Doug Ollivant wrote. Other candidates disagreed, describing Congress’ role in the federal system of checks and balances — established by the U.S. Constitution — as central to the job.
Q&A with Republican primary candidates for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District
Rick Smithers and Philip Harding have responded, providing answers with strikingly different tones while sharing similar visions on issues from the Valley Link transmission line to rural jobs. Ollivant has not responded.
Let's meet!
This year, we toured central Virginia to find out what matters to you — and help get everyone engaged in our local democracy! Here are some of the places we've been.
2026 Voter Guide Survey
250 of you helped us make this Voter Guide!
As part of Charlottesville Tomorrow's annual Voter Guide, we send a list of questions to all registered candidates for each race in our central Virginia coverage area. This includes the City of Charlottesville; the counties of Albemarle, Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange and Prince Edward; and the towns of Scottsville, Appomattox, Pamplin, Dillwyn, Stanardsville, Louisa, Mineral, Madison, Gordonsville, Orange and Farmville.
We publish each returned Q&A with the candidates' responses grouped under each question to help you, the voter, understand how they compare on the issues that matter most to you. (You can see an example of how this looks from last years' guide here.)
250 of you took a few minutes to complete our two-question 2026 Voter Survey, and tell us what you wanted us to ask candidates in your area. This survey is now closed but here are the questions you answered.
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