With Election Day set for Nov. 3, Virginia voters are turning to local newsrooms for help sorting out the ballot, and several outlets have published guides aimed at walking residents through the 2026 midterm elections. The guides focus on two practical questions: who is running, and what voters need to do to cast a ballot.
What the voter guides cover
According to reporting from Hampton Roads television stations, the newly released guides compile the essentials for the 2026 midterm cycle. The 13News Now guide frames its coverage around the questions of who is on the ballot and what documentation and steps voters need to participate. A companion WAVY voter guide is organized around the Nov. 3 election date, offering a reference point for area residents heading to the polls.
Both outlets present their material as a one-stop resource, a familiar format for election cycles in which voters face a mix of federal, state and local contests. The guides are intended to help residents prepare in advance rather than arrive at the polls uncertain about the races or the rules.
Who’s on the ballot
The 2026 midterms place congressional races at the center of attention, and the guides are designed to help voters identify the candidates in their districts. Hampton Roads has repeatedly been a closely watched region, and its contests could carry weight well beyond Virginia. For readers looking at how the region fits into the national picture, Tidewater News has examined how Hampton Roads voters could help tip the balance in Congress and laid out the key races and where to watch results.
The current slate of general-election candidates was shaped earlier in the cycle, when voters narrowed the field in party contests. Coverage of the Hampton Roads primaries detailed how those matchups came together ahead of the fall campaign.
What voters need to know
Beyond the candidate rundown, the guides emphasize the logistics of voting. While the published snippets do not spell out every detail, the outlets indicate their coverage addresses what residents need to bring and the steps required to vote. Virginians typically should confirm the following well ahead of Election Day:
- Their registration status and assigned polling location.
- Acceptable forms of identification.
- Options for voting early or by absentee ballot, where available.
- Polling place hours on Nov. 3.
Voters are generally advised to verify specifics through official state and local election resources, which maintain the most current information on deadlines and requirements.
Why the guides matter
Midterm elections often draw lower turnout than presidential years, and local newsrooms frequently publish voter guides to lower the barriers to participation. By consolidating candidate lists and procedural information in a single place, the guides aim to reduce confusion and help residents feel prepared.
Several details remain best confirmed through official channels, and the available source material does not enumerate every race or rule. Readers are encouraged to consult the full guides from the outlets involved, along with Virginia’s official election resources, for the most complete and up-to-date information ahead of Nov. 3.
Related coverage
- Virginia’s 2026 Midterms: Key Races and Where to Watch Results
- Hampton Roads Voters Could Help Tip the Balance in Congress
- Hampton Roads Primaries Set Stage for 2026 Virginia Races
This report synthesizes coverage from multiple news outlets.
Photo by Edmond Dantès on Pexels
