The world is at an all time political high. When it comes to politics, there are so many moving parts and different opinions. It can definitely come off as overwhelming sometimes and as a political science major, I want to help people stay informed. A popular thing I hear people say is “I don’t know how to be involved” or “my opinion doesn’t matter.” Well, if you live in Virginia, I have some resources and information for you to use so you can be a politically informed Virginian and make your opinion matter. Even if you don’t live in Virginia, some of these resources can translate!
Where to Start
First, let’s start with finding out who your delegate and state senators are for your district. The Virginia House of Delegates consists of 100 members and the senate consists of 40. Each district has a separate delegate and senator to represent them.
There are two websites you can use to search and find your representatives. The first is the Virginia Public Access Project. VPAP is a nonprofit that connects the people of Virginia with non-partisan information. On the website, you can look up your address and it will tell you who all your representatives are. The great thing about this website is that it also tells you who’s on the ballot, when the next election is, and where you can vote. Another feature of VPAP is that it actually shows political donors near you. This allows you to see what organizations and companies are donating to certain presidents and governors.
Now, say you want to know more broad information on your delegate or senator. The Virginia General Assembly website has a section called “Member Listings,” which is a list of all the delegates and senators in office. It gives a little bit more background on them, like what committees they are in. If you want more in-depth information like their main policy focus, each delegate and senator usually has their own website you can quickly search for online.
Bills to Laws
Every year, Virginia goes into session from January to March. This is when your elected officials start making new laws, sometimes doing the budget spending on the session year, amending old ones, or even adding to the Virginia Constitution. It is important to know what bills are being introduced because they can and will affect your day to day life here in VA.
A great website to see what bills are being introduced is the Legislative Information system (LIS). This website is open to the public—even delegates and senators use it. Here, you can find what bills are being introduced in the House and Senate. It even tells you if they passed the House or Senate, if it was amended, and how votes passed it.
LIS can also show you the state budget and any changes being made to it.
Make Your Voice Heard!
As a constituent, you should consider reaching out to your delegate’s office to voice your opinion, especially if you have concerns regarding any bills. Most delegates love hearing from their constituents to see where they stand on certain topics. If you plan on emailing them, make sure to include what bills or budget amendments you have concerns on, as well as your address so they can confirm your constituency. Another way you can make your voice heard is to come to the General Assembly in Richmond, VA during the session. To set an appointment with the delegate or their chief of staff, call or email.
TIPS
- If you are not already registered to vote, get registered TODAY
- Consider joining a local lobbying organization/group that relates to something you are passionate about
- Find a local news outlet that you trust; this can be through news articles, a political podcast, or streamed on TV so you can check daily
- Volunteer on campaigns
Things to Look Out For
Virginia’s 2026 ballot will feature several constitutional amendments that, together, reshape civil rights, voting access, and state governance. Voters will decide whether to protect same‑sex marriage in the state constitution if federal safeguards ever fall, automatically restore voting rights to people with felony convictions once they complete their sentences, and enshrine reproductive rights including access to contraception, fertility treatments, and abortion.
They also voted in a special election on April 21, 2026 on whether to allow mid‑term redistricting of Virginia’s congressional map, a change already approved by the General Assembly. Another proposal would have expanded property tax exemptions for surviving spouses of service members to include those who died in the line of duty, not only those killed in action. Together, these measures reflect a broader Democratic push in the 2026 legislative session, but each amendment ultimately requires voter approval to take effect.
Though the Supreme Court rejected the redistricting change, Virginia voters were able to voice their opinion, showing where they stand. This is why it is so important to vote: citizens should always voice their needs and wants to their representatives. Hopefully this provides more insight and encourages citizens to get out there and vote!