Primaries in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington: What to know about election day on August 4
Five states will hold elections to select candidates for Congress, governorships, and other offices, as well as put constitutional amendments and local referendums to a vote
Voters in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington will head to the polls this Tuesday, August 4, for a day of primary elections that will help shape the political landscape leading up to the November elections. At stake are nominations for governor, the Senate, the House of Representatives, state legislatures, supreme courts, and various local offices, as well as several constitutional amendments and referendums.
These contests will serve to select the Democratic and Republican candidates who will compete in the general election this fall, when the balance of power in Congress will also be at stake during the second half of President Donald Trump’s term. Although each state has its own rules and schedules, all will hold elections on the same day, with early voting and mail-in voting options already underway or concluding in the days leading up to the election.
What are voters deciding in each state?
In Kansas, one of the main contests is the race for governor, where Democrats and Republicans will select their respective candidates for November. There will also be elections for the state and federal Congress, as well as a referendum that could change the way state Supreme Court justices are selected.
Currently, justices are appointed by the governor from a shortlist prepared by a judicial nomination commission. The referendum will ask voters whether they prefer to replace that system with the direct election of judges by popular vote.
In Michigan, voters will decide the nominees for governor, the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, and numerous local offices. The primary to replace Governor Gretchen Whitmer—who is barred from seeking another term by constitutional limits—is among the most closely watched.
On the Republican side, the leading candidates are Congressman John James, who is backed by Donald Trump, and businessman Perry Johnson. On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are competing.
Another highly anticipated race will be the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate between Congresswoman Haley Stevens and former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed. The winner is expected to advance to face Republican Mike Rogers in November.
In Missouri, voters will determine the nominees for several House districts under a new congressional map approved this year. They will also elect candidates for state auditor and vote on four constitutional amendments.
In Virginia, the primaries will be held to select candidates for the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, and various local offices. Attention is focused on several congressional districts considered competitive, especially the 7th, where Republicans will choose the candidate to face Democrat Eugene Vindman.
There will also be primaries in Districts 1, 2, 5, 8, and 10, as well as the Republican contest to determine who will face Democratic Senator Mark Warner in the general election.
In Washington, which uses an open primary system known as the “top two” system, all candidates compete on the same ballot, and the two with the most votes advance to the November election, regardless of their political affiliation.
Voters will choose the finalists for Congress, the state Legislature, and four seats on the Washington Supreme Court.
What other measures will appear on the ballots?
Several states will include referendums and proposals that could change aspects of their institutional operations.
In Kansas, voters will decide whether state Supreme Court justices should continue to be appointed by a nominating commission or be elected directly at the polls.
Missouri will be the focus of much of the attention with four constitutional amendments related to taxes, local government, and the process for approving future constitutional reforms.
In Michigan, some communities will vote on local initiatives. In Wayne County, for example, voters will decide on a proposal to renew a tax intended to expand public transportation services through new bus routes and services for seniors and people with disabilities.
Washington will also hold votes on local initiatives, in addition to judicial and legislative elections.
How and where to vote?
All five states offer early voting options, although their schedules vary.
In Michigan, early voting ends on August 2, and those who need to register can still do so at their city clerk’s office until Election Day.
Kansas has set up early voting sites in various counties and set August 4 as the deadline for in-person voting.
Virginia will continue to allow in-person early voting through August 1, while Washington will continue to accept ballots by mail and at official drop boxes until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
In Missouri, the period for early voting without having to provide a reason for the absence ends on August 3.
When do the polls close, and when will the results be announced?
Polling hours vary by state. In Missouri and Virginia, the polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., while in Michigan, polling places will be open from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., depending on the jurisdiction. Kansas and Washington also follow their own schedules set by their election authorities.
The first results will begin to be released shortly after the polls close. Some results may be available Tuesday night, while the closest races may take longer to be decided.