Guide designed to educate Virginians about their options on June 13th

VIRGINIA– Progress Virginia has launched the commonwealth’s first Progressive Voters Guide, providing voters in the June 13th Democratic primary information about the options on their ballot. The online directory provides candidates’ responses to a uniform questionnaire probing their priorities, values, and vision.

“So much is at stake in our Virginia elections this year, from ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed to tackling the growing student loan debt crisis and standing up against hate and bigotry in our communities,” said Anna Scholl, executive director of Progress Virginia. “Virginians have an important opportunity on June 13th to nominate candidates who will fight for our values and our futures. We’re thrilled to launch the Progressive Voters Guide to help educate and engage voters in these important decisions up and down the ballot.”

Registered voters will have the opportunity to participate in Virginia’s open primaries on June 13 to select their party’s candidate for the general election in November. Virginia voters do not have to declare party affiliation in order to vote in primary elections, but they must choose one party’s ballot when they vote in the primary. Statewide and municipal elections will be held in Virginia on Nov. 7, 2017. All of the House of Delegates seats are up for re-election and Virginians will elect the state Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor and Governor.

The guide features profiles of 56 Democratic candidates who are participating in more than two dozen races for seats in Virginia’s state government.  The guide was compiled from responses to questionnaires Progress Virginia sent out to candidates in April. The questionnaires asked the candidates about their personal stories, their approach to governing, what their priorities will be while in office, and what their vision is for Virginia.

A Spanish language edition of the Virginia Progressive Voters Guide is available for the statewide races and House of Delegates districts with Hispanic populations of 9 percent or more. Progress Virginia encourages progressive voters in the state to use the guide as a tool and explore other available resources to learn about candidates and their policies. The guide is not an endorsement of candidates.

The deadline to register to vote for the primary election in May 22. Virginia law requires all voters to provide an acceptable form of photo ID when voting in person at their polling place.  The Progressive Voters Guide can be accessed at vaballotguide.org.