Virginians Vote on Constitutional Amendment to Allow Congressional Redistricting

By Gregory S. Schneider

*Richmond* — Published April 21, 2026

RICHMOND — Virginians are voting Tuesday on a referendum to amend the state constitution, allowing the General Assembly to adopt new congressional districts ahead of this year's midterm elections. The ballot question reads: "Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia's standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?"

The measure, if approved, would enable implementation of a preapproved map that Democrats, who control the General Assembly, say would create more competitive districts. Proponents estimate it could result in Democrats holding an advantage in up to 10 of Virginia's 11 House seats, based on recent election results. The state currently has six Democratic and five Republican House members.

Early voting, which began March 6, saw significant turnout for an off-cycle election. State figures reported nearly 1.37 million early ballots cast as of Saturday, approaching the approximately 1.5 million early votes in the 2025 gubernatorial race, though the data was incomplete at the time. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Campaign spending on the referendum totaled at least $93 million, according to reports from both sides, with much of it from sources not required to disclose individual donors. Supporters, organized under Virginians for Fair Elections, reported raising $64 million as of a recent finance deadline, including about $40 million from House Majority Forward, a nonprofit aligned with House Democrats and led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). The opposition, led by groups including Virginians for Fair Maps, reported raising about $19 million as of the same deadline and is not yet required to disclose donors.

The effort follows mid-decade redistricting actions by both parties. Last year, former President Donald Trump urged Republican-led states including Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri to draw new GOP-leaning districts to bolster the party's House majority. Democrats responded with a California referendum that created five Democratic-leaning districts. National Democrats have identified Virginia as a key opportunity in the ongoing redistricting process ahead of the fall congressional midterms.

Under the proposed map, five districts would be centered in Democratic-leaning Northern Virginia and extend into rural areas. Recent election data suggests at least two additional districts — one in Hampton Roads and one in the Shenandoah region — would be competitive.

If approved and fully realized, the change could net Democrats up to four seats, potentially shifting the national balance toward Democrats for House control. However, ongoing redistricting in states like Florida could alter the overall outcome.

The yes campaign has featured rallies by Virginia Democratic leaders, including Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who initially suggested Democrats could gain seats without new maps but later endorsed the measure. Former President Barack Obama appeared in ads supporting it. Jeffries, at a Monday news conference, said, “We’re urging everyone to vote yes to stop the MAGA power grab.”

Spanberger's support has been more measured than California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) backing of that state's similar effort.

Opposition efforts have been coordinated by multiple groups across the state. Virginians for Fair Maps, led by former state Attorney General Jason S. Miyares, has hosted events with former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) planned a telephone rally Monday night. Miyares has argued the referendum enables partisan map-drawing, stating in public appearances that it undermines Virginia's bipartisan redistricting commission.

The amendment would permit partisan redistricting only until 2030, after which the state would return to its bipartisan commission process. The General Assembly preapproved the map to allow primaries on Aug. 4 if voters approve.

Legal challenges from Republicans are pending. In February 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a lower court's block on the referendum has no effect on the April 21 vote but permitted post-election arguments. Separately, a federal lawsuit by the Republican National Committee regarding map compactness was scheduled for an April 20 hearing.

Patrick Marley contributed to this report.

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