Virginia, January 17, 2026
Virginia lawmakers have approved a constitutional amendment that will allow redrawing of congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This measure will be put to voters in a referendum likely scheduled for April, aiming to adjust district boundaries to favor Democrats. The amendment passed the state Senate and House along party lines, setting the stage for potential changes in representation amid ongoing debates about gerrymandering.
Richmond, Virginia – January 16, 2026
Virginia Lawmakers Move to Adjust Congressional Maps
Virginia lawmakers have approved a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw congressional maps, paving the way for a voter referendum likely in April. This move aims to adjust district boundaries to favor Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Legislative Approval
The amendment passed the state Senate along party lines, with Democrats holding a slim majority. A similar vote occurred in the House of Delegates earlier this week. The proposed amendment will now be presented to Virginia voters in a statewide referendum, expected in April. If approved, the amendment would grant the General Assembly the authority to redraw congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections. The new maps have not yet been released, but officials have pledged transparency before the public vote. Democratic Del. Cia Price emphasized that voters would see the proposed maps prior to the referendum.
Context and Implications
Redistricting typically occurs once every ten years following the decennial census. However, this amendment seeks to allow mid-decade redistricting if other states also engage in such practices. The proposed amendment includes trigger language, meaning Virginia lawmakers can only redraw congressional maps if such action is taken by other states. This move follows a broader national trend of redistricting activity, with Republican-leaning states like Texas and North Carolina redrawing maps to benefit the GOP, and Democratic-led states such as California and Utah making maps favoring Democrats.
The redistricting debate in Virginia has reignited discussions on gerrymandering, despite a 2020 referendum aimed at curbing the practice through a bipartisan commission. That commission failed to agree on maps, leaving courts to impose boundaries. If approved, the amendment will permit redistricting only until 2030 and only if other states also engage in mid-decade redistricting. Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger supports the initiative in principle but has not endorsed a specific plan.
Partisan Reactions
The resolution has sparked partisan division. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell argued that when Republican-led states “rig elections in their favor, our commitment to fairness that we made — that our voters made — effectively becomes unilateral disarmament.” Conversely, Republican Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle criticized the effort, stating that they should resist political pressure and not engage in what he called manipulative redistricting.
Current Congressional Representation
Virginia currently has an 11-member U.S. House delegation, with six Democrats and five Republicans. The proposed redistricting aims to adjust district boundaries to favor Democrats, potentially altering the balance of power in the closely divided U.S. House of Representatives.
Next Steps
The proposed amendment will be presented to Virginia voters in a statewide referendum, expected in April. If approved, the General Assembly will proceed with redrawing the congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections. The new maps have not yet been released, but officials have pledged transparency before the public vote.
Background
Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically occurring every ten years following the decennial census. The goal is to ensure equal representation based on population changes. In Virginia, redistricting has historically been managed by a bipartisan commission. However, the failure of the commission to agree on maps in 2020 led to court-imposed boundaries. The proposed amendment seeks to allow mid-decade redistricting if other states also engage in such practices, aiming to adjust district boundaries to favor Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
FAQ
- What is the proposed constitutional amendment in Virginia?
- The proposed amendment seeks to grant the General Assembly the authority to redraw congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections, allowing for mid-decade redistricting if other states also engage in such practices.
- When will Virginia voters decide on this amendment?
- The amendment will be presented to Virginia voters in a statewide referendum, expected in April.
- What is the current political representation in Virginia’s U.S. House delegation?
- Virginia currently has an 11-member U.S. House delegation, with six Democrats and five Republicans.
- What are the partisan reactions to the proposed amendment?
- The amendment has sparked partisan division. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell supports the initiative, while Republican Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle criticizes it as political manipulation.
- What is the background of redistricting in Virginia?
- Redistricting in Virginia has historically been managed by a bipartisan commission. However, the failure of the commission to agree on maps in 2020 led to court-imposed boundaries. The proposed amendment seeks to allow mid-decade redistricting if other states also engage in such practices.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Proposed Amendment | Allows the General Assembly to redraw congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections if other states engage in mid-decade redistricting. |
| Legislative Approval | Passed the state Senate along party lines; similar vote in the House of Delegates. |
| Voter Referendum | Expected in April; if approved, the General Assembly will proceed with redrawing congressional maps. |
| Current Representation | Virginia’s 11-member U.S. House delegation: 6 Democrats, 5 Republicans. |
| Partisan Reactions | Division between Democrats supporting the amendment and Republicans opposing it. |
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