Thread by @EvanWatsonNews

It’s #ElectionDay in Virginia with a projected close race for Governor.

Elections Commissioner Chris Piper says about 20% of 5.9 million registered voters in Virginia voted early.

That’s more than 6x the number from 2017 - COVID effects/new laws/shifting preferences @13NewsNow

Starting a thread from here. More than the Governor’s race is on the ballot - Lt. Gov, AG plus all 100 House of Delegate seats are on the table.

Election officials expect pre-processing of absentee ballots to be done by 7 - we’ll closely track when CAP results come in @13NewsNow

I’m in Northern Virginia tonight for the Democratic event with @TerryMcAuliffe @HalaAyala and @MarkHerringVA

Dem aide just told me voter turnout in Newport News looks ‘really great.’ I’ll share updates on mood/actions here tonight as Dems hope to keep state leadership @13NewsNow

Record voter turnout in a few key areas already, per @vaELECT data and some of the political aides here.

Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Prince William County and other Northern Virginia areas have already surpassed their total voter turnout from the 2017 elections @13NewsNow

Here are the shots from press row at the Virginia Democratic ticket Election Night be event for McAuliffe, Ayala and Herring.

Polls close in one hour. As always, if you’re in line to vote by 7, stay in line! You’ll be able to vote. More updates to come @13NewsNow

NEW: Voter turnout in @CityofVaBeach has easily surpassed the turnout in the 2017 November elections.

2017 - 128,684 votes
2021 - 144,981 votes as of about 5 p.m.

This includes early voting and absentee (CAP) numbers, with updated counts varying by precinct. @13NewsNow

McAuliffe camp says they're excited by high voter turnout in Falls Church, Fairfax County, Prince William County and other parts of NOVA. Something to watch - if these areas stay as blue as recent election cycles. @13NewsNow

A reminder: Absentee ballots must be postmarked by today but will be counted through Friday as they’re received.

With more people voting by mail, there are more of these ballots that could impact election races that aren’t decided tonight. This is *normal* and vetted @13NewsNow

And another reminder that everything I’m tweeting tonight is specific to the 2021 Virginia elections, although I’m now more interested in Minnesota election law and will be looking into that later! 😂

(But seriously, everyone, be patient with results and learn about the process)

McAuliffe camp says Fairfax County is delayed in its reporting of early vote totals, with no timeline set for a rescanning process. So, for now, early election results don’t include a strong-Democratic area. Something to note @13NewsNow

Just talked with Sen. @MarkWarner: “It’ll be back and forth early. I hope it bodes well, I’m glad we had such good turnout and would remind everyone that voting early is important. I’m anxious to see numbers out of Hampton roads, @TerryMcAuliffe has to do well there.” @13NewsNow

A look at #VirginiaElection results as they are updated by the minute. LOTS of votes to be counted.

A note to some of the people in my mentions - properly processing, counting and reporting votes takes time and varies by locality. Let the process work.

Voter turnout gains across Virginia, but higher in rural Republicans areas that make up most of the fully reported areas so far. Something to track as the night goes on.

As always, shoutout to the excellent work from the team over at @vpapupdates

An update on the Fairfax situation I posted about earlier.

Rescan in progress. Observers from both parties are watching the process - double checks are in place. We will wait on these results as the county ensures accuracy. @13NewsNow

No update on when McAuliffe, Ayala and Herring will arrive tonight.

McAuliffe camp says they’re still looking at large outstanding vote areas in Richmond and Northern Virginia (like Fairfax)

However, the optimism among some of the attendees is starting to fade a bit @13NewsNow

With about 78% of precincts reporting, per @vaELECT, @GlennYoungkin leads @TerryMcAuliffe by more than 200,000 votes. Similar splits in LG and AG races.

You can track the updates at 13newsnow.com/elections - Republicans look strong in Virginia Beach races as well @13NewsNow

In Virginia Beach, this comparison could be telling.

Last year, Virginia Beach residents voted 51-46% for Biden over Trump.

This year as it stands, VB voters give Youngkin a 59-40% split.

More votes to be counted, but a sizable shift. Turnout a big part, of course @13NewsNow

The McAuliffe, Ayala and Herring event is now blasting Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” over the speakers.

Seems fitting based on the election results so far. Supporters still hoping for a turnaround @13NewsNow

And about 30 minutes away from here - the Republican watch party event for @GlennYoungkin

Supporters now being moved from the back of the room behind the press setup to the front. Mic check at the podium. We may see the Democratic candidates here in a bit. @13NewsNow

UPDATE: @TerryMcAuliffe is here and expected to speak within the next 5 minutes.

BREAKING: @TerryMcAuliffe is here with @GovernorVA on stage.

McAuliffe: “We still have a lot of votes to count and we’re going to count every single one of them because every Virginian’s (vote matters).” Then he mentions his campaign and thanks his family @13NewsNow

.@TerryMcAuliffe thanks his campaign staff and people who canvassed/supported him. He says again “we need to count every vote.”

No concession as of now, but he says “we need to continue the fight” on certain Democratic polices “today and in the future.” @13NewsNow

McAuliffe is done speaking, off stage and shaking hands with a few supporters. Not a concession, but not a confident speech. A few supporters/Democratic staffers are hugging and headed out the doors @13NewsNow