How Virginia's Primary Election Works

Virginia uses an open primary election system. All registered voters may choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary regardless of their party affiliation. However, voters may only participate in one party's primary during an election and cannot vote in both parties' primaries on the same day.

Virginia does not hold primary runoff elections. Candidates only need to receive a plurality of the vote to win their party's nomination, meaning the candidate with the most votes advances to the November general election even if they do not receive an outright majority.