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The balance of power in the Virginia Senate is at stake today in a special election to fill the Northern Virginia seat formerly occupied by Attorney General Mark R. Herring.

The possibility of 4 to 6 inches of snow today in Fairfax and Loudoun counties had election and party officials encouraging supporters to prepare and cast their ballots early.

A Democratic victory would give the party 20 seats in the 40-member chamber, provided Democratic Del. Lynwood W. Lewis Jr.’s nine-vote win in the Jan. 7 special election for Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s former Senate seat survives a recount.

A Republican victory in either special election would give the GOP a majority in the chamber, which was split 20-20 before last year’s statewide election that elevated Democrats Northam and Herring.

The special election in the 33rd Senate District, which comprises parts of the two Northern Virginia counties, features three candidates: Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton, Republican John C.L. Whitbeck Jr. and Joe T. May, a former Republican delegate. May, who lost his House seat in a 2013 primary, is seeking the Senate seat as an independent.

Democrats are expected to challenge for control of the chamber’s committees and its chairmanships if they win.