Virginia lawmakers unveiled a proposed congressional map intended to help Democrats win four additional House seats in the 2026 midterms, a direct response to redistricting efforts President Trump has encouraged to benefit Republicans.
The state’s current U.S. House delegation is six Democrats and five Republicans. The map and accompanying legislation were posted Thursday on the legislature’s website, and Democratic Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas confirmed it was the party’s proposal. “Donald Trump knows he’s going to lose the midterms. He knows it. That’s why he’s started this mess in the first place,” Lucas said. “Today we are leveling the playing field. These are not ordinary times, and Virginia will not sit on the sidelines while it happens.”
But the plan faces several hurdles before it could affect the 2026 elections. It needs approval by the General Assembly and must be approved by voters through a constitutional amendment in a special election proposed for April 21. Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, has not yet signed off on calling that special election; she must act by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 11.
Under the current Virginia constitution, a bipartisan commission holds redistricting authority. The proposed amendment would temporarily allow the General Assembly to adopt new congressional districts now — a departure from the usual once-per-decade process — and then return to the commission-based approach after the 2030 census.
The Democrats’ effort is also tied up in litigation. A circuit court judge in rural southwestern Virginia recently ruled that Democratic lawmakers had not followed legal requirements in the amendment process. Democrats appealed and accused Republicans of “court shopping.” The Virginia Court of Appeals asked the Supreme Court of Virginia to take over the case.
Republicans argue the change is unnecessary and too consequential for a temporary fix. “When we change the constitution, we do it very deliberately. And we do it for a reason,” Republican State Sen. Bill Stanley said during debate on setting the referendum date.
Virginia is a focal point in Democrats’ attempt to blunt a wave of off-cycle redistricting after Trump pushed Texas Republicans to redraw maps last summer in ways that could net multiple seats. California Democrats later approved a counterplan in a November special election. Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina have also moved maps favorable to Republicans, and Florida plans to redraw maps in April. Maryland Democrats are considering a map that could flip the state’s lone Republican-held seat.
Overall, analysts say Republicans have so far gained two to three more seats nationally through early redistricting, aided by greater control of state legislatures. If Virginia’s amendment reaches voters, the ballot question would ask whether the constitution should be changed “to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections” and then revert to the standard process after 2030.
Jahd Khalil covers Virginia politics for VPM News.
