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UpdateVirginiaWednesday, November 4, 2026

McGuire claims victory in Virginia's 5th District as Perriello says votes remain

One candidate declared victory while the other said ballots were still being counted and cured.

By the Democracy SENTRY deskPublished

Reporting by
WSLS
“McGuire Claims Victory in Virginia’s 5th District as Perriello Says Votes Remain”, Wednesday, November 4, 2026
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What happened

Incumbent Republican John McGuire claimed victory in Virginia's 5th Congressional District on November 4, 2026. Democrat Tom Perriello refused to concede, saying the race remained unresolved. Perriello told supporters "we are confident that when all the votes are counted, all the ballots are cured, we will win this district."1

McGuire called it a "hard-fought battle" and said he was ready to work for residents. Both candidates held election-night events in Charlottesville.1

What it means in Virginia

What happens next in Virginia

Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received by noon on Friday November 6, 2026.2 Counties canvass within ten days of the election, by November 13.3 The State Board of Elections ascertains November results by the first Monday in December and then issues certificates of election.4

Key dates in Virginia

Election Day in -7 days
  1. Fri, Sep 18 · passed
    Early voting begins
  2. Fri, Oct 23 · passed
    Last day for mail ballot applications
  3. Sat, Oct 31 · passed
    Early voting ends
  4. Tue, Nov 3 · passed
    Election Day; Registration deadline
  5. Fri, Nov 6 · passed
    Mail ballots must arrive
  6. Mon, Dec 7 · 27 days
    State certification

Every date in Virginia, and who certifies the election

More on this story
Virginia · Nov 9
Virginia sets December 7 date to certify 2026 election results
Reporting by USA Today
Virginia · Nov 9
Shannon Taylor wins Virginia First District election
Reporting by Rappahannock Record (Northern Neck)
The answers behind this
How votes are counted and made officialVoting in Virginia, 2026Who certifies the election in Virginia, and by when?What is the difference between counting the votes and certifying them?

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Sources

  1. WSLS, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidEFVX3lxTFBRWXBVMEowZ1hqQ1g4X0pEakdOdUxyd2dROGhrUTR4aDlkV0UxbmJHaFJUa3pXNlNfQ2pHaHVJQXhRcEgzc0licGtjOFRJT3JocHUzbndsQmlGSEk5NTZMOGZLb2kzM0ZvLUFZWFJMblYzNlN4?oc=5 · Wednesday, November 4, 2026
  2. Vote.org, Virginia Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/virginia/
  3. NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
  4. NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

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