Virginia voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday to redraw the state’s congressional districts.
The change could boost Democrats’ chances of winning four currently Republican-held seats in the November midterm elections. The amendment bypasses the bipartisan redistricting commission and allows a new map to be drawn by the Democrat-majority General Assembly.
Republicans hold a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, 217 seats to the Democrats’ 213.
“Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms,” said Don Scott, speaker of Virginia’s lower house. “At a moment when Trump and his allies are trying to lock in power before voters have a say, Virginians stepped up and leveled the playing field for the entire country.”
Governor Abigail Spanberger added, “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.”
Former President Donald Trump urged Virginians to vote against the amendment, posting on Truth Social: “VIRGINIA, VOTE ‘NO’ TO SAVE YOUR COUNTRY.” Trump and Republican leaders have strongly opposed the redrawing while advancing partisan redistricting efforts in other states.
The vote in Virginia follows recent redistricting moves elsewhere. In August, Texas lawmakers approved a congressional map that could help Republicans pick up as many as five seats after Trump encouraged GOP-led redraws. Similar Republican-drawn maps have been pursued in Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, while Democrats recently revised maps in California. Florida’s legislature has scheduled a special redistricting session on April 28.
Virginia’s decision could help offset gains sought by Republican maps in states such as Texas and reshape competitive races ahead of next year’s midterms.
Edited by: Louis Oelofse