Virginia voters approved a mid-cycle redistricting plan in a narrow special election on Tuesday, a major victory for Democrats as they seek to gain control of the narrowly divided House this fall.
The referendum passed by a narrow margin of less than three percentage points, with 97% of the vote in, according to multiple reports. The constitutional amendment authorizes the Democratic-controlled Legislature to bypass the state's bipartisan redistricting commission and implement a new congressional map through the end of the decade. This special election is a major victory for Democrats as they seek to gain control of the narrowly divided House this fall.
The redistricting plan could allow Democrats to win up to 10 of Virginia's 11 U.S. House seats, according to major media reports. Democrats' proposed map is designed to leave just one solidly Republican district out of 11 in the state. Unlike in some states, where regular legislation can change maps, Virginia Democrats were required to pass the proposed amendment in two different legislative sessions, with a general election in between, before sending it to voters for approval.
The state Supreme Court is reviewing the plan's legality, which could nullify the referendum results, according to major media reports. The court's decision will determine whether the new map takes effect for the 2026 midterm elections.
Donald Trump instigated the nationwide redistricting war by urging Republican-controlled states to redraw maps to preserve Republican control of Congress, according to The Guardian and The Independent. Trump pressured Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina to redraw their congressional maps, according to the same sources. After Republicans enacted new maps last year in those states, Virginia offered a rare, seat-rich prize for Democrats.
Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they approved a temporary measure to push back against a President who claims he is 'entitled' to more Republican seats in Congress.
California voters approved a similar mid-decade redistricting effort (Proposition 50) last year. Democrats also successfully urged voters to approve a new congressional map in California last year that could allow the party to gain five new seats, according to research. Democrats may also pick up a seat in Utah due to a court ruling, according to major media reports.
Republicans could pick up two seats in Ohio, according to major media reports. The Florida Republican-led Legislature is to convene April 28 for a special session on redistricting, according to major media reports.
According to The Independent, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries celebrated the Virginia win and warned Florida Republicans. According to The Independent, Donald Trump claimed the Virginia election was rigged without evidence. According to The Independent, Steve Bannon reacted with fury to the Virginia redistricting, attacking conservative complacency. Bannon also claimed Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger is 'running a color revolution' and is 'trained by the CIA', according to The Independent.
The current congressional delegation in Virginia is split 6-5 in favor of Democrats. Democrats flipped 13 seats in the state House and won back the governor's office last year, according to major media reports.
Democrats have now won statewide votes in California and Virginia to redraw congressional maps as part of a mid-decade redistricting arms race that began last year when President Donald Trump urged GOP-led states to alter their district lines, according to research. Republicans had hoped they could insulate their three-seat House majority, but the result of the redistricting back and forth may end up being close to a wash, according to research.
Supporters of the measure flooded the zone with early ads, putting former President Barack Obama front and center, according to research. According to NBC News, Virginia Democratic state House Speaker Don Scott described the vote as changing the trajectory of the 2026 midterms. According to NBC News, Governor Abigail Spanberger described the measure as a pushback against a President who claims he is 'entitled' to more Republican seats in Congress.