These offices are on the ballot this year—here’s what each role does and why it matters for you

Sure, everybody’s excited about the presidential race—but did you know there will be candidates besides Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on your Virginia ballot?

This year in Virginia, a multitude of statewide and local elections are on the ticket. From the US Senate race between incumbent US Sen. Tim Kaine and retired Navy captain Hung Cao, to school board elections in your area, there’s more than just the “big ticket” draw in 2024.

We’re breaking down the different positions and items you can expect to see on your ballot, whether you’re voting early, by mail, or on Election Day.  

US Senate

Each state elects two people to serve in the US Senate, for a total of 100 senators nationwide. In Virginia, the current US senators are Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

Senators serve six-year terms, and approximately one-third of the Senate seats go up for reelection every two years. Unlike the president, senators are not limited on the amount of time they can spend in office.

Some duties US senators perform include introducing and voting on potential laws, conducting investigations and oversight of the executive branch and other federal agencies, and addressing the needs and concerns of the people of their state.

US Senators also lead in various positions, which highlight specific areas of expertise. Warner is chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence and serves on a multitude of other committees. Kaine also serves on several committees, including the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, and others. 

US House

Individuals elected to the US House of Representatives serve as congressional representatives. Virginia has 11 districts, with one person serving in each space. The commonwealth currently has six Democrats and five Republicans in the US House.

Congressmen and congresswomen serve for two years before their seat goes up for reelection. Unlike the governor, the same Congress member can be elected multiple times in a row in Virginia. Representatives have multiple roles, including introducing bills and resolutions, offering amendments, and serving on committees.

Congressional representatives also announce and help secure federal funding for important programs. Recently, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who is running for governor in Virginia, announced more than $92,000 to implement a nutrition program at Carver Center in Culpeper County. 

You can search for your congressional representative here. 

Local elections

Local government elections include individuals running for offices like city or town council, Board of Supervisors, mayor, sheriff, and school board. The positions available on your ticket may differ from those of someone living in another area of the state.

For example, Pittsylvania County residents who live in the towns of Chatham, Gretna, and Hurt will vote for their respective mayors and town council members. Meanwhile, those in the nearby City of Danville will vote for city council members and school board members.

Elected officials in local government positions play an important role in your community. Council members often lay the groundwork for soliciting new businesses, like bringing a casino to Danville. School board officials make decisions on everything from contentious book bans to finalizing fiscal budgets. 

You can view the local positions available on your ballot here.

Ballot measures

Ballot measures are potential changes determined by a majority vote. To get a ballot measure on the statewide ticket, state lawmakers agree to put the idea to a popular vote across the commonwealth.

As of Aug. 2, there was one ballot measure scheduled to appear on your ticket. The Property Tax Exemption for Veterans and Surviving Spouses Amendment aims to amend language in the Virginia Constitution. If passed, the measure would provide property tax exemptions for veterans and surviving spouses who “died in the line of duty,” rather than the current language, which reads “killed in action.”