Overview
- The constitutional amendment, which goes before voters Tuesday, would allow a one-time congressional redraw before 2030 that could shift Virginia from a 6–5 split to as many as 10 Democratic-leaning districts.
- Early and absentee voting reached roughly 1.3 to 1.4 million ballots, and recent polls show a close race with a slight edge for the “yes” side, making same-day turnout pivotal.
- Pro-referendum groups far outspent opponents, with Virginians for Fair Elections reporting about $64 million raised and nearly $100 million combined on both sides, much of it from donor-shielded nonprofit groups.
- The Virginia Supreme Court let the vote proceed but kept challenges alive, so even a passage could face post-election rulings that block or change the map.
- Democrats frame the push as a response to President Trump’s 2025 mid-decade redistricting drive in GOP states like Texas, while Republicans warn the plan undercuts a voter-approved commission and could cost Virginia senior GOP clout that helps steer defense and funding.