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Virginia's closely watched legislative campaign cycle closes out Tuesday, as voters decide whether to empower Republicans with full state government control or let Democrats keep serving as a bulwark against Gov. Glenn Youngkin's agenda.
The outcome in Virginia - among just four states with legislative elections this year - will be closely scrutinized nationwide for hints of what may come in the 2024 presidential cycle.
While all 140 General Assembly seats are on the ballot in a costly and competitive election year, the balance of power, currently divided, will likely be decided in about a dozen districts in Hampton Roads, suburban Richmond and northern Virginia. Candidates have been making their case to voters on the economy, the environment, public safety and schools, but no issue has been more hotly contested than abortion in the last state in the South without new restrictions since the end of Roe v. Wade.
The contests are "the most important elections in America because these issues that are so important to Virginians are also the ones that are going to be so important to Americans next year," Youngkin said Sunday on ABC's "This Week."
Candidates for both parties spent the run-up to Election Day hosting last-minute get-out-the-vote rallies and canvasses.
President Joe Biden, who won Virginia in 2020 by 10 percentage points and campaigned against Youngkin here in 2021, did not appear in person, but signed off on a fundraising email and endorsements.
Republicans are hoping their candidates benefit from the Democratic president's persistently poor approval ratings, which are lower than Youngkin's.
The governor headlined his party's campaign events. He appeared with candidates in competitive districts statewide as part of a bus tour promoting an early voting initiative aimed at reversing years of GOP mistrust in the policy.
Some who voted early said abortion rights topped their concerns. Youngkin has pledged to try again for an abortion ban after 15 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest and situations where the mother's life is at risk.
Also on the ballot are local school board and prosecutor races around the state, and a referendum in Richmond on whether to authorize a proposed casino.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and Virginia offers same-day voter registration.
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