Overview
- Virginians, who continued casting ballots Tuesday after more than a million early votes, are deciding whether to let the legislature temporarily replace the bipartisan commission’s congressional map for the rest of the decade.
- The Democratic-drawn plan is projected to put the party in position to win as many as 10 of the state’s 11 U.S. House seats, a potential swing of up to four districts this year.
- The Virginia Supreme Court allowed the special election to proceed but is still reviewing GOP lawsuits after a Tazewell County judge said lawmakers violated procedural rules, so voter approval could still be voided.
- Nearly $100 million has funded the campaign, with the pro-referendum group Virginians for Fair Elections providing roughly $65 million and national figures from both parties, including Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Mike Johnson, rallying voters.
- The vote is a key chapter in a nationwide mid‑decade redistricting fight started by Trump’s push in Texas, with Democrats using Virginia and last fall’s California measure as countermoves, and polls showing a close contest that hinges on turnout.