PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Saturday, Nov. 2, is the last day to vote early in Virginia.

So far, over 1.8 million people have voted early in the state, but that still doesn’t touch the numbers we saw in 2020. Experts say COVID-19 likely played a role in the difference between the two.

Michael Whitfield, Portsmouth resident, was among many waiting in line at city hall to vote early Friday morning.

“I heard rumors that election day might be a little crazy, so I wanted to go ahead and get it in while I had the chance,” Whitfield said.

He told 10 On Your Side the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris has been heated since the start.

“It’s divided the country, family, friends,” he said. “I have relatives I can’t even speak to anymore. Now it’s just leading to violence and no longer polite.”

But he advised people to not forget about local elections.

Notably in Portsmouth, Mayor Shannon Glover is looking to hold his office while Vice Mayor Lisa Louise Burke and challenger Harold Carothers III hope to take over.

“Even though people don’t believe it, I think local elections affect day-to-day people more and they need to pay more attention to what’s going on.”

We asked him what a positive outcome looks like for him.

“That everybody accepts the results which I doubt.”

Polls will reopen for Election Day on Nov. 5th.