Learn how to vote, what’s on the ballot this November

Jack Glagola, Contributing Writer

Election Day is coming on Nov. 8 — and VCU students have the day off. 

VCU Votes co-chair Jacqueline Smith-Mason said this will give students more time to cast their ballot, as they won’t have to be late to or miss class. Students must have a vote plan and know where they’re registered, she said.

“For instance, if a student is registered to vote in Richmond, but lives outside of the City of Richmond and decides to go home because classes are canceled, they should vote early,” Smith-Mason said.

A vote plan includes knowing whether one will vote by mail or in-person, knowing their polling location or ballot drop box, how they will get there, and reviewing a sample ballot, according to Smith-Mason.

Students can log in to elections.virginia.gov to find voter registration and polling places. If students are registered to vote at their campus address, they may vote in-person at the University Student Commons.

Early votes and absentee ballots are also available from the website. Absentee ballots must be submitted by Nov. 8.

Only one slate of candidates are on the students’ ballots this year, as there are no local elections taking place in Richmond. The candidates are running for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District — which encompasses a swath of southeast Virginia from Richmond to Chesapeake.

Voter turnout for midterm elections are often lower than presidential elections, according to the Pew Research Center. Young people are also less likely to vote, with roughly 56% of Virginians aged 18 to 29 voting in the 2020 election, according to Tufts University.

Virginia’s 4th District House Representative

Donald McEachin, is the incumbent Democratic representative for the 4th Congressional District. McEachin has been in office since 2016. He leads the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Congressional Task Force and is a member of numerous House committees, according to his website. 

He is running on a progressive platform focusing on environmental and equity issues, according to his website. 

Leon Benjamin, is the Republican challenger for Congress. He previously served in the United States Navy and is a pastor at New Life Harvest Church, according to his website.

He is running on a conservative platform focusing on constitutional and crime issues. He has also been endorsed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, according to his website. Benjamin ran against McEachin last election cycle and lost.