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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is actively campaigning as the state approaches a significant vote on redistricting.
During a canvassing event in Henrico County on Saturday, Spanberger encouraged citizens to support the redistricting referendum by voting “yes.”
“It’s crucial for us to ensure everyone understands the importance of this measure, why you should vote yes, and why it’s vital to persuade others to do the same,” Spanberger emphasized.
The governor explained that the proposed redistricting referendum is essential for Democrats as it aims to establish a new congressional map. This map would predominantly favor Democrats with ten seats, leaving just one for Republicans. She cited President Donald Trump’s requests to states like Texas and Missouri to redraw their districts in a way that benefits Republicans as a reason for the necessity of this change.
“They agreed to manipulate the maps to secure an election victory, knowing that without such measures, their policies wouldn’t stand on their own,” Spanberger remarked.
Spanberger added that the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot is temporary because it returns the power of redrawing Virginia’s congressional map to a bipartisan commission after the next census.
However, former Republican governor and U.S. Senator George Allen, who’s part of an organization called No Gerrymandering Virginia, is urging Virginians to vote “no.” He said the state’s current congressional map, which currently has led to six Democrats and five Republicans in Virginia’s congressional delegation, is fair.
“I hope Virginians in the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence will say no to this partisan power grab and stand up for honest fair districts in Virginia, the cradle of American liberty,” Allen told 8News.
Allen said because several districts are concentrated in Northern Virginia, many people living in more rural areas won’t have a voice in Congress if the new map goes into effect. Plus, he said the map will be in place for six years, meaning it’s not temporary.
“There’s no reason why people in rural areas and suburban areas throughout Virginia ought to be disenfranchised, millions and millions of Virginians,” said Allen.
Election Day is Tuesday, April 21.