Senate launches study of consolidating Virginia general elections with federal cycle

The Virginia Senate on Jan. 29 approved Senate Joint Resolution 253 to form a joint subcommittee to study whether to consolidate federal and state general elections in Virginia and, if consolidation is desirable, how to implement it.

Sen. Saravel (Eastern Fairfax) urged the study during floor debate, noting that Virginia is one of four states holding state legislative elections outside the federal cycle and arguing that separate elections contribute to lower turnout and higher campaign spending. "Turnouts when we tend to be on the ballot in this chamber tend to be about 50% of what they are when we have an election for president," the sponsor said, adding that campaign spending in recent senate cycles rose from about $37 million in 2011 to $112 million in 2023.

Saravel said the study would explore technical options—such as whether to extend or shorten terms, how to transition incumbents, and effects on local elections—and that any change would likely require years to phase in. The Senate agreed to the resolution by voice vote.

Why it matters: Consolidating elections would be a major institutional change with implications for turnout, campaign finance, election administration and the timing of local races. The study is an initial, deliberative step to examine options and tradeoffs.

What the study will examine: the subcommittee will review turnout data, costs of running separate elections, legal and constitutional constraints, and possible transition timetables.

Ending: The joint subcommittee will report its findings to the General Assembly; any statutory or constitutional changes would require further legislative action and, potentially, voter approval depending on the path chosen.