PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Polls have closed in Virginia and North Carolina for their presidential primary elections, commonly referred to as Super Tuesday.
President Biden and former President Donald Trump won Tuesday’s presidential elections in both Virginia and North Carolina, Decision Desk HQ projects.
Watch the Super Tuesday Digital Special with Digital Host Sarah Goode and Political Science Professor Benjamin Melusky, Ph.D. from Old Dominion University as he gives his expert analysis. Watch the special in the video player on this page.
With an estimated 33% of the votes counted just before 8 p.m., Trump was leading rival Nikki Haley in Virginia with 63% of the vote compared to 35%.
Biden raked in more than 88% of the vote in early projections in Virginia, compared to single digits for challengers Marianne Williamson and Dean Phillips.
In North Carolina, current Attorney General Josh Stein won the Democratic primary for governor, and current Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson won the GOP nomination.
For Super Tuesday, 10 On Your Side’s Nick Broadway was out at Hampton City Hall for early morning voting. He said while there were no long lines, he saw a steady amount of voters.
Some of the voters 10 On Your Side spoke with feel a responsibility to make their voices heard — even if it is a primary.
“You can never take anything for granted. I just feel like you got to vote for someone who’s going to join everybody and not saying I’m right or I’m wrong,” said Hampton voter Billie Jeffries.
Randy Murphy told WAVY: “I voted for Donald Trump. I just feel that he’s the right person for the job and we’ll see what goes on for the future.”
“So many African Americans have died for me to have this opportunity to vote. So I feel it’s my responsibility to honor their sacrifice for our country,” Glenda Holness said after voting for Biden in the primary.
Chris Pistell voted for Donald Trump. He told 10 On Your Side, “You have to look at the escalating cost of living, including in this city, the rising cost of the tax burden.”
10 On Your Side spoke with Jesse Richman, an associate political science professor at Old Dominion University, who thinks a Republican upset is still possible if Haley does well on Tuesday.
“The might reset the narrative,” Richman said. “Right now, Haley in some ways has the advantage of super low expectations. Real Clear Politics have basically stopped featuring the Republican primary in their averages. Everybody’s like, ‘Meh, okay we know what’s going on. It’s Trump, Biden, that’s it.’ That may be. It could be. It seems probable. But it’s by no means certain. Super Tuesday will be where that is determined.”
For Haley to have a chance, Richman believes it is Tuesday or bust.
“So this puts Virginia in an important place,” Richman explained. “If Hayley wins Virginia and some other states, Haley is in the running for quite a mile. If Haley loses all of the states, the writing will just be on the wall.”
On Virginia’s Democratic ballot, President Joe Biden was listed, along with Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. Former President Donald Trump had five GOP challengers listed on the Virginia primary ballot, but the only active competition was from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
President Joe Biden was the only candidate listed on the Democratic primary ballot in North Carolina. Voters did have an option to select “no preference.”
If you have yet to register, Virginians can now register the same day as Election Day at a polling site. The General Assembly approved this just a couple years ago. Keep in mind, if you are registering Tuesday, your vote technically won’t be factored in until after your registration is approved.
Stay with WAVY on air and online for local and national coverage of Super Tuesday.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.