Author: Northumberland County Democratic Committee

The importance of voting early cannot be overemphasized:

• You are modeling good behavior
• You are showing that you care about this great American right and responsibility
• You are keeping the race front and center with friends, family, neighbors, the community, and the congressional district

Once you’ve voted, take a selfie of you in front of the office of the General Registrar and Electoral Board and email it to Susie Cambria. She’ll return you in one of the woo hoo designs that you can put on social. Think about changing your profile picture on Facebook or your avatar on Bsky, add to your email signature, or simply post on social that you voted early and add the pic.

Local Dem Susie Cambria recently blogged this important opportunity for Northumberland creatives: A call from Postcards for Virginia:

Postcards For Virginia, www.postcards4va.com is encouraging creative types to design postcards for four new postcard campaigns for the 2026 midterms.

The winning four postcard designs featuring original artwork will be sold through the organization’s Proshop. Postcards For Virginia cannot pay for designs. Rather, sales will “go directly toward protecting democracy.”

Early voting is underway having started Thursday, June 18. Early voting ends Saturday, August 1. Primary day at the polls is Tuesday, August 4.

All you need to know about early voting is on our Elections page.

The three veterans running for the First Congressional District — Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs, Jason Knapp, and Mel Tull — and incumbent candidate Rob Wittman are invited to this veteran-focused event being held Monday, June 29 at 6:00 pm at Mt Olive Baptist Church (6749 Jessie Dupont Memorial Hwy, Heathsville).

The three Democratic candidates have confirmed; there has been no response from Wittman’s office about his participation (as of June 17, 2026).

Attend the event and have a conversation about the candidates’ views on the range of issues around the military and veterans.

In advance of the event, here’s a bit of information about Beggs’, Knapp’s, and Tull’s positions on members of the armed forces and veterans:

Beggs: “My commitment is simple: If you wear the uniform, have worn the uniform, or support someone who does, you deserve a representative who fights just as hard for you as you fight for this country.“

• Supporting Military Families: Expanding military spouse career opportunities; improving childcare, schools, and community support; making Virginia a welcoming duty station

• Standing Up for Our Veterans: Strengthening VA community care & reducing wait times; meaningful tax incentives for companies hiring veterans; expanding mental health and suicide prevention resources; protecting GI Bill, home loan, and earned benefits

Knapp: “I will defend VA care, demand congressional authorization before another war, codify reproductive care for servicemembers, and treat the promise made to those who served as the debt it is.”

Tull: Meet our commitment to provide our veterans with quality healthcare.

First Congressional District candidates Salaam Bhatti and Jason Knapp are speaking at the June 18 regular meeting of the Northumberland County Democratic Committee. The meeting takes place at Northumberland Public Library (7204 Northumberland Hwy/Rte 360, Heathsville). The member meet and greet starts at 6:00 pm and the meeting starts at 6:30 pm.

The meeting is open to the public.