Loudoun County expecting to set early voting turnout records

LEESBURG, Va. — Early voting numbers for the 2024 presidential election continue to see an upward trend in Virginia, including Loudoun County.

Elections officials said since early voting started on Friday, there have been nearly 6,000 early voters out of the 305,000 registered voters in Loudoun County. That’s nearly 2% of the entire voting population.

The early voting turnout is surpassing by 26% each day compared to the 2020 presidential election, when Virginia began to allow people to vote early without an excuse. On the first day of early voting, 2,352 people showed up to the polls versus 1,659 in 2020.

“We are expecting to make record,” Loudoun County Office of Elections Communications Specialist Samantha Shepherd said. “We do anticipate the last couple of days that early voting will be open will be the busiest.”

In addition, the county has seen an average of 200 new voters a day. Shepherd credits the enthusiasm and engagement for former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Loudoun County voter Jeffrey Collins said he was voting early for the first time.

“I figured out I’d beat the rush on Election Day, so, I figured I could get it over with,” Collins told WUSA9. “I think both parties are suggesting getting the vote out now.”

The higher-than-normal turnout is felt throughout northern Virginia, including Fairfax and Prince William counties.

“I’ve never seen it like this,” Loudoun County voter Gary Reedy said. "Usually, we can go straight in. We always early vote ... Everybody's making their opinion known by getting here and voting, so we'll see what happens in November." 

The Commonwealth has 45 days of early voting before it ends on Nov. 2 at 5 p.m.