RICHMOND, Va. – Data from 8News reveals a surge in voter registration in Virginia following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement to seek the Democratic nomination.
“Democrats are particularly excited about a new candidate who doesn’t have Joe Biden’s age issues,” explained 8News Political Analyst Rich Meagher.
According to the Virginia Department of Elections, 4,899 Virginians registered to vote on July 22 and 23, the first two full days of Harris’s campaign. This marks a 38.5% increase compared to the same period the previous week.
“These new registrations could be from Democrats enthusiastic about Harris’s candidacy or Republicans motivated by changes in the Democratic party,” Meagher said.
Meagher added that the specific demographics of the new voters are unknown, but the excitement in the Democratic party following Biden’s decision is evident.
“New registrations could reflect individuals who felt excluded and are now eager to vote for or against Harris, or younger voters who were previously uninterested because Biden was running but are now excited by the new candidate,” Meagher noted.
The increase in voter registration is not limited to Virginia. Vote.org, a non-profit organization focused on increasing voter turnout, reported a 700% rise in nationwide voter registrations since Biden stepped aside.