Early voting for the Nov. 3 midterm elections begins Friday, with a U.S. Senate race, all 11 congressional seats, three proposed constitutional amendments and numerous local referendums on ballots across the commonwealth. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)
By Markus Schmidt
Early voting began Friday across Virginia, kicking off more than six weeks of voting for the Nov. 3 midterms just days after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked new mail-ballot restrictions sought by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives in all 11 of Virginia’s congressional districts, and approve or reject three proposed amendments to the state constitution. Depending on where they live, some voters will also see local races, referendums and special elections.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Executive Order 22 on Friday, Sept. 18 to kick off her data center regulation package. (Photo by Shannon Heckt/Virginia Mercury)
By Shannon Heckt
Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Friday unveiled a package of legislative proposals to rein in the data center industry in Virginia, with goals to tighten environmental regulations, increase cost allocation for the industry, and make the proposal process more transparent by barring non-disclosure agreements between localities and data center developers.
The plan does not include a moratorium on data center development while the details of the plan are refined, a step several environmental and advocacy groups and citizens have demanded in recent weeks.
Virginia lawmakers are considering regulations to allow for autonomous commercial vehicles, which could shift companies from using gas to electric, self-driving vehicles. Pictured are trucks parked off Interstate 95 in Virginia. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)
By Nathaniel Cline
Virginia is moving closer to regulating self-driving vehicles, with lawmakers and experts recently agreeing on a plan ahead of the next legislative session as the technology expands and safety concerns grow.
Last year, the General Assembly directed a workgroup to consider rules for autonomous vehicles, or AVs, which have been tested in states including Arizona and Texas and restricted in California. Meanwhile, the federal government announced a national strategy plan to accelerate the development and deployment of self-driving vehicles across the country.
By Charlotte Rene Woods
Shannon Taylor, the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District representative, wants to restore healthcare funding and resources slashed by the Republican-controlled Congress over the past year, she said at a roundtable alongside care workers and union leaders in Henrico Monday afternoon.
Taylor, who was first elected to her current role as Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney in 2011 and who is vying to unseat longtime Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, said she would also explore ways to more tightly regulate private equity in healthcare, if elected.
By Virginia Mercury staff
On Nov. 3, Virginians will elect their next slate of congressional representatives, and approve or reject three proposed constitutional amendments that would permanently protect same-sex marriage, reproductive health rights and voting rights for former felons. There will also be various local elections statewide.
The Virginia Mercury’s voter guide is a handy resource to help you learn more about the candidates and races.
ICYMI
Wittman, running again in VA-01, supports Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense spending budget | By Charlotte Rene Woods
Chesapeake Bay ospreys see worst breeding season on record| By Shannon Heckt
Virginia confronts $1.7 billion shortfall in highway maintenance funding | By Nathaniel Cline
New guidance limits voting disqualifications to murder, manslaughter convictions | By Charlotte Rene Woods
COMMENTARY: Another day, another Virginia university targeted by the feds for ‘racial discrimination.’ | By Jim Spencer
Thanks for reading The Mercury’s Best of the Week. Did you know our daily morning newsletter is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.