On this episode: Voters in Virginia are heading into one of the most eventful election years in recent memory. The state will choose a new governor, attorney general, and lieutenant governor while all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are on the ballot. But the races are unfolding alongside an unexpected twist – a rapidly developing Democratic proposal to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts before the 2026 midterms.

The Virginia Scope’s Brandon Jarvis joins the show first to break down the fast-moving redistricting effort, what it could mean for the state’s politics, and how it’s affecting the governor’s race between Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. He also shares what his reporting on the ground is telling him about the key issues driving the race and the tight contests for attorney general and control of the House of Delegates.In the second half of the show, Ballotpedia’s Lara Bonatesta explains the mechanics of voting in the Commonwealth, from early voting and voter ID requirements to the battleground districts that could decide which party controls the legislature.

Follow along with our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_elections,_2025
Read Brandon’s reporting: https://www.virginiascope.com/
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*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.

Stay Tuned Bonus 2/9: David Remnick