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Spanberger Sets April Referendum as Virginia Democrats Roll Out 10–1 U.S. House Map

Voters will decide April 21 whether to authorize a temporary bypass of the state's independent redistricting commission.

Overview

  • Democratic leaders released a proposed congressional map that positions their party to win 10 of 11 Virginia seats, up from the current 6–5 split.
  • Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the measure scheduling the April 21 statewide referendum on a constitutional amendment enabling mid‑decade redistricting.
  • A Tazewell County judge ruled the amendment process improper; Democrats appealed and the Virginia Supreme Court is now considering the case.
  • If implemented, analysts say the plan could flip up to four seats, with Arlington divided across five districts and the rural 9th configured as the lone solid Republican seat.
  • The ballot measure would not ratify the map itself and would temporarily allow the legislature to draw new lines until post‑2030 redistricting, as lawsuits and partisan opposition continue in a national mid‑decade remap fight spurred by President Trump’s call to redraw GOP states.