Virginia Redistricting Referendum: Live Election Results and Updates

As another Tuesday rolls around, Virginia voters find themselves at the polls once more, this time casting their votes on whether to allow the Democrat-led state legislature to take charge of redrawing the congressional map.

The crux of the referendum asks voters to consider replacing a constitutional amendment approved back in November 2020. This earlier amendment removed the task of redistricting from lawmakers, establishing a bipartisan commission to oversee the process instead. The proposed change would revert redistricting powers back to state legislators, effectively allowing them to engage in gerrymandering.

The debate hinges on two pivotal concepts: “temporarily” and “fairness.”

Advocates for the new amendment, including current Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, former President Barack Obama, former Attorney General Eric Holder, and California Governor Gavin Newsom, have argued that it is only “fair” for Virginia to adjust its congressional map similarly to some red states that have already done so ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Their vision of “fairness” would shift the current 6D-5R map to a more lopsided 10D-1R, citing potential seat gains in states like Texas as justification.

The notion of “temporarily” is equally contentious. Democrats assert that the congressional map will be revisited and redrawn following the 2030 census. Skeptics, however, question the likelihood of this, doubting whether Democrats will voluntarily redraw the maps in a balanced manner in 2030, especially if they retain control of the General Assembly and have to relinquish any congressional seats gained in the interim elections.

Proponents of the new amendment, including current Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, former President Barack Obama, Eric Holder, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, argued in the runup to the referendum that it was only “fair” that Virginia gerrymander its congressional map because some red states had redrawn their maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. “Fairness,” in this case, would be moving from a 6D-5R map to a 10D-1R one because Texas may pick up a House seat or two. 

And “temporarily” has been seen as equally problematic. Democrats maintain that the congressional map will once again be redrawn after the 2030 census. To believe this, you have to believe that Democrats will: 1. Fairly redraw the maps in 2030, provided they keep the majority in the General Assembly; and 2. Willingly give up the four congressional seats they may gain during this year’s midterm elections.