February 12, 2025

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Yasman, a CVP team member, interviews Amber Wilt, Virginia's state coordinator. They discuss Virginia's upcoming elections, including the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general races. Amber highlights key roles in the state government, voter registration options, and the challenges first-time voters face. She emphasizes Virginia’s accessibility, with no-excuse absentee voting and pre-registration for young voters. The conversation also covers trends in voter turnout, especially among college students using provisional ballots. Notably, this year could bring Virginia’s first female governor, with two women leading the race. The discussion sheds light on the state's dynamic political landscape and efforts to engage voters.

Takeaways

• 😀 Yasman, the interviewer, is the Virginia State Coordinator for CVP and has been working there since August 2023.
• 😀 Amber Wilt, the Virginia State Coordinator, has been in this position since November 2022, after serving as deputy since July 2022.
• 😀 In Virginia's 2025 elections, the key races include Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates.
• 😀 The Governor has significant power in Virginia, including the ability to veto bills, propose line edits, and issue executive orders.
• 😀 The Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of the Senate and is first in line for gubernatorial succession.
• 😀 The Attorney General provides legal advice, defends the state in criminal appeals, and upholds the constitutionality of state laws.
• 😀 The General Assembly in Virginia consists of the Senate (40 seats) and the House of Delegates (100 seats), both part-time legislatures.
• 😀 Virginia has accessible voter registration options, including online registration for those with a Virginia driver's license, and no-excuse absentee voting.
• 😀 Provisional ballots and same-day voter registration have seen increased usage, particularly by college students, to ensure more people can vote.
• 😀 The most pressing challenges for voters in Virginia include a lack of knowledge about the voting process, candidate information, and election dates, especially in off-year elections.
• 😀 Accessibility to candidates and their platforms is crucial for voters, and candidates should prioritize transparent communication, public outreach, and clear campaign materials.
• 😀 This year, Virginia could have its first female governor, as both major candidates in the race are women, which would be a historic achievement.

Q & A

Who is Amber Wilt and what is her role in Virginia's elections?

Amber Wilt is the Virginia State Coordinator for CVP. She officially took on this role in November 2022 but had been serving as the Deputy State Coordinator since July 2022. She has extensive experience in Virginia elections, having been involved in organizing and as a democracy fellow during previous election cycles.

What are the key statewide positions in Virginia, and what are their responsibilities?

The key statewide positions in Virginia are the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. The governor has significant power in signing or vetoing bills, issuing executive orders, and proposing line edits to bills. The lieutenant governor serves as the president of the Senate and is first in line for gubernatorial succession. The attorney general provides legal advice to the state, defends the state in court, and ensures the constitutionality of state laws.

What role does the General Assembly play in Virginia's legislative process?

The General Assembly in Virginia is made up of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Delegates. The House of Delegates has 100 seats, and the Senate has 40. Legislators serve part-time, working during the short sessions of the year, with a maximum session length of 60 days. They work on making and passing laws, similar to the U.S. Congress.

What are the steps Virginia has taken to make voting easier, particularly for first-time voters?

Virginia has several measures to make voting more accessible. First-time voters can pre-register at 16 or 17 years old. The state also allows online registration for those with a Virginia driver's license. There are 45 days of early voting, and no-excuse absentee voting is permitted. Additionally, college students can use their college IDs to vote, and same-day voter registration is available through provisional ballots.

What is the provisional ballot process in Virginia, and how has it affected voter participation?

Provisional ballots allow voters to register and vote on the same day if they missed the registration deadline. Their ballots are counted once their eligibility is confirmed. Since Virginia passed a law allowing same-day registration with provisional ballots, there has been an increase in their use, particularly among college students who may not have registered at their new address or may have been out of state.

What trends in voter turnout has Virginia experienced in recent elections?

Virginia's statewide voter turnout was the lowest for a presidential election since 2000. However, the voter turnout in off-year elections is usually lower. Despite this, the usage of provisional ballots has increased, especially among college students who benefit from the ability to register on Election Day.

What are some of the main challenges voters face in Virginia, and how can these be addressed?

Voters, particularly young people and first-time voters, often struggle with understanding the voting process, how to register, and when elections occur. To address these issues, providing clear, accessible, and accurate information about voting procedures and the importance of elections is crucial. Additionally, ensuring voters feel comfortable and informed on Election Day is key.

What qualities should voters look for in candidates running for statewide office in Virginia?

Voters should prioritize candidate accessibility, ensuring that candidates are easy to reach and understand what they stand for. It's important for candidates to be visible in the community, have clear and transparent campaign platforms, and actively engage with voters to understand and address their needs.

How can candidates increase their visibility and connect with voters in Virginia?

Candidates can increase their visibility by maintaining accessible campaign websites, participating in community events, and using physical campaign materials like signs. Being present in the community and engaging in direct conversations with voters helps build trust and allows candidates to better understand the concerns of their constituents.

What is the significance of having a female governor in Virginia, and how likely is it to happen in the upcoming election?

The election of a female governor would be historic for Virginia, as the state has never had a woman serve as governor. Currently, the two main contenders for the governor's race are women: Spanberger (Democratic) and Winsome Sears (Republican). This could potentially be the first year Virginia elects a female governor, making it an exciting and significant election.