Tuesday, April 21, Virginians will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment at the special election. The plan was officially signed into law by Gov. Abigail Spanberger D.P.S. ’26 on Friday, Feb. 20 and is pending voter approval. The map was passed by the Democratic-majority General Assembly, with the Senate approving it 21-18 on Thursday, Feb. 19 and the House 63-35 on Tuesday, Feb 10.
Under current law, Virginia’s congressional districts are drawn once every 10 years by the Virginia Redistricting Commission. The last redraw was in 2021.
The proposed amendment gives the General Assembly authority to redraw Virginia congressional districts, in limited capacity, before 2031. Should another state redraw congressional districts, the Virginia General Assembly will be able to rework congressional districts as well. This power would remain with the General Assembly until October 31, 2030, and the Virginia Redistricting Commission would reassume the authority in 2031. A proposed map has already been approved by the General Assembly.
The practice of mid-decade congressional redistricting is growing in popularity, with Virginia lawmakers citing the precedent of other states as a basis for the proposal. A vote “yes” would allow the General Assembly to put the proposed map into effect before the 2026 Congressional Elections. A vote “no” would leave the power with the Virginia Redistricting Commission and keep the current district map.
