The first votes in the Democratic presidential primary in Virginia will be cast this week — 45 days before the scheduled March 3 primary election across the state.

In-person absentee voting for the primary opens Thursday, Jan. 16, in Henrico and Chesterfield counties at voter registrar’s offices and on Friday, Jan. 17, in Richmond, according to of- ficials in each jurisdiction.

The difference of a day in launching in-person absentee voting depends on whether localities close on Friday for a state holiday for Confederates. The two counties do, but City Hall does not.

Requests for mailed absentee ballots also are being accepted start- ing this week, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Fourteen Democratic presidential candidates qualified for

the ballot, but two, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and author and activist Marianne Williamson, ended their campaigns Monday and last Friday, respectively.

The names of both are expected on the Virginia ballot because the state has not received official notice the two have left the race and ballots already have been printed.

The primary will determine which candidates gain pledged Virginia delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in July where the final selection of the Democratic contender will be made.