Virginia voters are beginning to cast their ballots in a contentious presidential election year, with several competitive congressional races on the ballot. Here’s what to know about the Nov. 5 election as early voting begins in the state.

Americans began casting their first in-person votes on Friday in a presidential election six weeks away that both Republican and Democratic leaders call the most important in generations. The stakes are high: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and other party leaders have described Republican nominee Donald Trump as a threat to democracy,