On this year’s ballot we have candidates for: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Commonwealth Attorney, House of Delegates 82nd District, Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, and Treasurer.  

Gubernatorial candidates are Terry Mcauliffe (D), Glenn Youngkin (R), and Princess Blanding (L).

Terry Mcauliffe (D)

Mcauliffe, who was governor of Virginia from 2014-2018, is running again with a slightly different platform. He wants to focus on COVID-19 recovery and restoration, especially in economics. He is also planning on investing more in education than he did in his previous gubernatorial term, ensuring that every student has access to technology and other resources inside and outside the classroom. 

Glenn Youngkin (R)

Youngkin is a Virginia native and businessman, running on a platform that is focusing on restoration of the economy, protection of Constitutional rights, and education reform. He is one of the few candidates in the state who was endorsed by former president Donald J. Trump. 

Princess Blanding

Blanding was an educator in the Commonwealth for over a decade. Her campaign is based on reforming the justice system in Virginia, making it fair and accessible to all. As a single LGBT+ mother, she also wants to make sure that the state is a safe and welcoming place for all, focusing on human rights and protection of those rights. 

Running for the office of Lieutenant Governor we have Winsome Sears (R) and Hala Ayala (D). 

Winsome Sears

Sears, a USMC veteran, is the former Vice President of the Virginia State Board of Education. She has a large focus on education, planning to raise teacher pay and introduce more choice for educational paths. She also wants to uplift the voices of Black Virginians and veterans. 

Hala Ayala

Ayala is currently representing the 51st district in the Virginia House of Delegates. Her platform is centered on making healthcare, transportation, and job opportunities more accessible in the Commonwealth.  She wants to combat issues of gun violence and racial disparities, as well as address climate change in the area.

Know before you go to the polls.

AP Government teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Mechling, encourages students to educate themselves on politics in the state and find ways to get involved in the community like becoming a student election page. 

“I feel like it makes it more calming to see what goes on inside of a polling place, so you’re less scared,” said Mechling. “What you’re not acquainted with you’re uncomfortable with. Once you can see what other people are doing it feels better for you to look and see, and then do it later on.” 

Learning about politics and elections is a great way to help get prepared for the future. Students who are unable to vote can use this as an opportunity to know what’s going on in the community and have discussions with parents about the world around them.  Asking questions and doing outside research can help open the door to new perspectives.

“Just viewing this through the lens of a typical high school student, elections can be pretty important,” said senior Ava Slutsky. “Candidates often have different views and values on how the educational system should be run, so it’s important to, at the very least, keep an eye on each candidate’s educational policies.” 

Polls open at 6am on November 2nd. If you’re 18+ and registered to vote, check for your local polling place and head out to make your voice heard through the vote. If you’re not old enough yet, it is still worth watching the news and staying involved. The future is in our hands.