Virginia holds a U.S. Senate race in 2026, on the ballot November 3, 2026, alongside a congressional map with real battlegrounds. Having just elected a governor in 2025, Virginia's 2026 ballot is federal and local. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Virginia?
The U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Mark Warner is up for reelection. Below it: all of Virginia's U.S. House seats, including a competitive district or two in the state's fast-changing suburbs and south, plus county and municipal contests. Virginia does not elect its governor in 2026, that race was on the 2025 ballot, and does not hold state legislative elections in 2026 (those run in odd years).
What makes Virginia's races matter?
Virginia has trended Democratic statewide over the past decade, powered by the booming, diverse Northern Virginia suburbs, while retaining Republican strength in its rural south and west and genuine competition in a couple of U.S. House districts. Those swing districts, more than the statewide Senate race, are where Virginia's national stakes sit in 2026.
Why turnout decides Virginia
Virginia's off-year state elections and its federal midterms both turn on turnout, and a midterm lowers it, which can flip the competitive House districts. The state's early and mail voting is widely used, so turnout runs for weeks, and in the swing suburbs, mobilization at the margins decides seats.
Frequently asked questions
What's on the ballot in Virginia in 2026?
A U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Mark Warner up for reelection, and all U.S. House seats plus local contests. The governorship (2025) and state legislature (odd years) are not on the 2026 ballot.
Where are Virginia's competitive races?
Its U.S. House map. A couple of districts in the fast-changing suburbs and south are genuinely competitive and carry more national weight than the statewide Senate race.
Why does turnout matter in Virginia?
Because a midterm lowers turnout, which can flip the competitive suburban House districts, and those seats are decided by mobilization at the margins across weeks of early and mail voting.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: Texting for a congressional race and the 2026 midterms are a turnout election.