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Date set for special election to fill seat of late Virginia Senator Ben Chafin

Interested candidates have until Jan. 22 to file

In this Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 file photo, Virginia State Sen. Ben Chafin, R-Russell, listens to debate on the floor of the Senate during the session at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) (Steve Helber, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

RICHMOND, Va. – We now know when Virginians will head to the polls and fill a currently vacant Virginia Senate seat.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced that a special election in the 38th Senate District will happen on March 23 to fill the seat held by Sen. Ben Chafin before his death on Jan. 1.

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Chafin died after contracting COVID-19.

The last day for candidates to file to appear on the ballot is January 22, 2021. Information regarding candidacy requirements can be found on the Department of Elections website.

This district contains Bland County, Buchanan County, Dickenson County, Russell County, Tazewell County, Pulaski County, Radford and parts of Smyth County, Wise County and Montgomery County.