NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia's 2023 elections are just days away, and the deadline to get your vote in early is here. With only hours left, the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) revealed that early voting numbers are much lower than in the past.
As of November 2, VPAP reported that 648,023 Virginians have voted early. That's a decrease from 2021, where 1,194,185 people voted ahead of time.
Sherri Young, a Norfolk voter, said she was able to go vote early on Friday. She said there were only two people ahead of her in line.
"I like to go ahead and get it over with; it seems like when you go to vote on the day, there could be a line," Young said.
Young's friend, Jeannie Crist, also voted early. "I didn't want to stand in line. I have arthritis in my knees, and I just didn't want to deal with the crowd if there was going to be one," Crist said.
A number of Virginians, however, aren't planning on voting.
"I haven't really thought into it and honestly couldn't tell you who was running," said Lauren Pitteokeo, another Norfolk resident.
According to VPAP, as of October 24, 6.4% early voters this year were hitting the polls for the first time. Stephanie Calhoun from Norfolk said she didn't have plans to vote either, but she said she may vote on Tuesday after researching the candidates.
RELATED: Which candidates are running for Virginia House of Delegates, Senate in the 2023 elections?
"I will think about it, and maybe I need to talk to my peers who are going to vote, so that may change my view and opinions on things," Calhoun said.
The last day to vote early is November 4. Election Day is November 7. All 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly will be on the ballot.