On Apr. 21st, Virginia residents will vote on whether or not to pass a congressional amendment allowing the Virginia General Assembly to enact a new congressional district map outside of the usual 10-year redistricting process.
The amendment will allow the redrawing of the state’s 11 congressional districts before 2031, if another state changes its maps.
Virginia Democrats hope to have this amendment passed to counter Republican redistricting efforts in other states and to give their party an advantage in Congress by giving them more seats before the 2026 Midterm elections.
The first thought of this map for the public was when the Virginia Senate approved a proposal (HJ6007) on Oct. 31st, 2025, allowing the maps to be redrawn. Then a proposal map was released on Feb. 5th. The map was then edited by Democratic legislators from the Senate Finance and Appropriation Committee proposing changes to target the Hampton Roads area. Two days later, on Feb. 20th, the House of Delegates approved the map with bill HB29 with a vote of 59-35. The proposal was then signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger.
If the amendment is passed, it means that 10 of the 11 congressional seats for Virginia would be filled by Democrats, and 48% of Virginians would be moved to a new congressional district, changing their representation and election options. The amendment’s passage is also expected to be challenged in court, with arguments of the process and timing of the referendum.
If the amendment is not passed, the map will remain the same with the current 6-5 partisan split, and the Virginia Redistricting Commission keeps control over redistricting, which is currently scheduled to occur after the 2030 census.
The power to shape voting in Virginia lies in the voters’ hands, so if you are a Virginia citizen aged 18 or older, please do not forget to register to vote. You can easily register online through the Virginia Department of Elections by April 10th, or in person at your local general registrar’s office right up until election day. Find your assigned polling place through the Virginia Department of Elections, show up, and cast your ballot. Make your voice heard, because each and every vote counts.
