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Virginia's Primaries

Partisan Primary Types​

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Presidential PrimariesState PrimariesPresidential PrimariesState Primaries
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Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: no

Virginia is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primary and State primary are scheduled to run on different days

Virginia has nonpartisan registration. There is no option to affiliate with a political party on the voter registration form. Voters do not declare affiliation with a party in order to vote in primary elections, however they must choose one party's ballot.

Delegates and Presidential Primaries​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.
118 99 19 8 48 48 45

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic party will send a total of 118 Delegate Votes (99 Pledged, 19 unpledged) and 8 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 65
  • At-large Delegates: 21
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 13
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 19
  • Alternate Delegates: 8

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 11
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 7
  • Dem. Gorvernors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 1

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Republican party will send a total of 48 Delegate Votes (33 district-level, 12 at-large, 3 RNC) and 45 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention.

45 of 48 of Virginia's delegates (33 district, 12 at-large) to the Republican National Convention are pledged to presidential contenders in Virginia Presidential Primary.

If one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote or only 1 candidate receives 15% or more of the vote in a congressional district, that candidate receives all 3 delegates. Otherwise, if 2 or more candidates receive more than 15% of the vote, the highest vote getter receives 2 delegates and the next highest vote getter receives 1 delegate. Otherwise, the top 3 vote getters each receive 1 delegate.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 33
  • At-large Delegates: 12
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 45

NOTES​

This page contains primary election rules and Presidential Primary delegates allocation information on elections occurring across the country

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation apply to statewide partisan primary elections in most cases. However, check with your Town Clerk for primary voting guide as they may vary by town and political party.Please be advised that the information provided on this site is updated regularly but is subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

The information provided on the page was validated using the following resourses: