Early Voting in Virginia Election Amid Controversy
Over 350,000 residents in Virginia had cast their ballots in the upcoming 2025 election before a significant controversy about Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones emerged. Early voting statistics reveal that, as of October 3, a total of 359,379 early votes had been submitted, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP).
This figure is markedly higher compared to just 185,119 early votes recorded prior to the 2021 statewide election. Just two days before the controversy broke, a report by the Richmond Times-Dispatch highlighted that Jones had allegedly used a reckless driving charge to log community service hours for his political action committee (PAC), Meet Our Moment.
In an alarming revelation, it was reported by National Review that Jones sent a text to Republican Congresswoman Carrie Coyner in 2022, making a chilling statement about wanting to deliver “two bullets in the head” to former Republican Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert. This incident has raised eyebrows significantly.
As the election nears, 291,420 ballots have already been cast, more than double the 144,721 recorded at the same time during the last election cycle. While the VPAP data does not specify party affiliation of the voters, it does analyze turnout trends and partisan dynamics across various districts.
Meanwhile, the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University recently released new polling data showing that while Democratic candidates for statewide offices maintain an advantage, the gap is tightening. The polling, conducted between September 29 and October 1—right before the controversy surrounding Jones unfolded—indicates that Jones leads Republican incumbent Jason Miyares by just 6 points among likely voters, with a significant portion still undecided.
In a follow-up discussion, Miyares criticized Jones, suggesting that rather than taking accountability, Jones had attempted to circumvent possible repercussions by linking community service to his PAC. Miyares noted that Jones’s favorability is slightly positive at +2, while Miyares enjoys a +7 rating, with 31% of voters viewing him positively compared to 24% who do not.
In another twist, Coyner claimed that Jones has made further violent remarks regarding police officers. During a heated discussion on police protections, Jones purportedly remarked that multiple police fatalities could potentially curb civilian violence.
