Early Voting Begins in Four States for 2026 Election
Early Voting Begins in Four States for 2026 Election
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Key Points
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Republican Senate nominee Bert Mizusawa defeated David E. Williams and Kim Farington in the Aug. 4 primary. A decorated retired Army major general with a law degree, Mizusawa has also worked in senior military leadership, law, federal contracting, and advisory roles for the first Trump campaign and the CIA.
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Arlington voters will decide five bond measures, including $69.745 million for Metro and other transportation projects, $34.945 million for parks and recreation, $58.825 million for county infrastructure, $20.745 million for water and sewer systems, and $80 million for Arlington Public Schools.
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Fairfax County’s ballot includes a proposed $180 million parks bond for land acquisition, open-space preservation, new facilities and improvements to existing parks, as well as a separate $75 million bond for community health and human-services facilities.
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Minnesota is not a postmark state: absentee ballots mailed back to counties must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day, while ballots hand-delivered by a person must arrive by 5 p.m. that day.
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Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said federal election-security cooperation has remained limited, saying his interpretation was that federal agencies had “basically written off this election cycle in terms of cooperation”; state officials say they have replaced lost resources with internal funding and continued coordination with counties.
Early voting for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election kicks off this week across four states. Virginia, South Dakota, and Minnesota open voting on Sept. 18, while Illinois follows on Sept. 24. The Hour reports that voters will decide races for U.S. Senate, Congress, state legislatures, and local offices—plus dozens of ballot measures on everything from reproductive rights to school bonds.
Virginia's Senate race pits Democratic incumbent Mark Warner against Republican Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army major general with a law degree. Patch notes that Virginia ballots also include statewide measures on voting rights restoration, same-sex marriage, and reproductive freedom. Local contests range from school board seats to county bond packages totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Virginia Senate Race Sets Tone for Election
Mark Warner, the Democratic incumbent, faces a well-credentialed challenger in Mizusawa. Patch reports that Mizusawa defeated two other Republicans in the Aug. 4 primary and brings decades of experience in military leadership, law, federal contracting, and advisory work. He advised the first Trump campaign and served with the CIA.
Beyond the Senate race, Virginia voters will decide congressional races, state legislative seats, and multiple local contests. A special House election will take place in parts of Prince William County. Combined with statewide ballot measures, Virginia's ballot will be dense and consequential for the state's political direction.
Arlington and Northern Virginia Voters Face Hefty Bond Packages
Arlington County is asking voters to approve five separate bond measures totaling roughly $265 million. Patch details the breakdown: $69.745 million for Metro and transit, $80 million for schools, $58.825 million for county infrastructure, $34.945 million for parks and recreation, and $20.745 million for water and sewer systems.
Fairfax County voters face two additional bond questions: $180 million for parks acquisition and improvements, plus $75 million for community health and human-services facilities. Loudoun County seeks up to $356.5 million in bonds. Fairfax City is also proposing a new sales tax to fund schools and transit projects.
Minnesota Tightens Election Rules as Federal Support Dries Up
Minnesota opens no-excuse mail voting Sept. 18 but has strict deadlines. Mailed absentee ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day; hand-delivered ballots have an earlier 5 p.m. deadline. Minnesota is not a postmark state, meaning ballots received after these times will not count.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says federal election-security cooperation has basically vanished. Seattle PI reports that Simon's agency has filled the gap by increasing state funding and maintaining direct coordination with counties. Minnesota is funding its own election-security efforts after federal agencies stepped back this cycle.
Illinois and South Dakota Round Out Early Voting Week
Illinois voters will cast ballots on statewide, county, and local races beginning Sept. 24. Las Vegas Sun reports that Illinois ballots will include school funding questions in many districts. The state is expanding early-voting options, with Kane County adding mobile voting locations and grace-period registration available starting Oct. 7.
South Dakota joins Virginia and Minnesota in opening voting on Sept. 18. While details remain limited, Las Vegas Sun notes that South Dakota voters will help determine control of Congress and state offices as part of the broader 2026 election cycle. Early voting momentum builds as millions prepare to cast ballots across the nation.
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