Firehouse primaries are a Virginia voting specialty, and they don't usually involve actual firehouses.
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What is a firehouse primary?
A firehouse primary — also known as a mass canvass, party canvass or unassembled caucus — is a type of primary election run and paid for by a political party, instead of a state’s department of elections. Per state election law, a firehouse primary in Virginia is practically synonymous with any kind of special primary election for state or national office that occurs outside of a November general election.
This type of party canvass was popularized in Virginia, according to the Political Dictionary, and other states and countries have since adopted the practice. Any party can use a firehouse primary, though Democrats and Republicans may call it one of the other known phrases.
Contrary to the name, actual firehouses are rarely used for voting in special party primaries.
OK, but why no firehouses?
Time and circumstance, really. Firehouses are not normal venues, and the ones used for voting in general elections are given weeks or months to prepare. Again, these are special elections run specifically by the state party organizations and not the department of elections.
What should I bring to vote?
Voters must show valid ID — which does not necessarily have to include a photo. Acceptable forms include a Virginia driver’s license, U.S. passport or student ID issued by a Virginia school.
However, firehouse primary voters should also be prepared to declare a party affiliation either verbally or in written form, which may be required.
Should I visit my normal polling station to vote in a firehouse primary?
No, because a firehouse primary is run by the state party organization (either the Republican Party of Virginia or the Democratic Party of Virginia) it will not use the polling station assigned by the Virginia Department of Elections.
Do I need to be a registered [insert party here] to vote in a firehouse primary?
Not necessarily, but you do need to already be a registered voter.
