On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Virginia voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow the General Assembly to temporarily redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 elections, a move framed by supporters as restoring fairness but criticized by opponents as a partisan power grab. The referendum, appearing on the ballot for a special election, asks: “Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”
The proposed amendment comes after Virginia’s congressional districts were last redrawn in 2021 by the Virginia Redistricting Commission, a bipartisan body established by a 2020 voter-approved constitutional amendment. Under current law, districts are redrawn every ten years following the census, with the next scheduled redraw set for 2031. However, the General Assembly seeks temporary authority to redraw one or more districts before 2031 if another state alters its congressional map without a court order, a provision designed to respond to potential mid-decade redistricting elsewhere.
If approved, the new map drafted by the General Assembly would take effect for the 2026 congressional elections, with the commission resuming responsibility for redistricting after the 2030 census. The authority granted to the legislature would expire on October 31, 2030. The amendment is part of a broader national debate over gerrymandering, with Republicans currently holding a 7-4 advantage in Virginia’s congressional delegation despite the state voting Democratic in recent presidential elections.
Supporters, including Democratic lawmakers and voting rights groups, argue the change is necessary to counteract what they describe as unfair advantages gained through the commission’s map, which they claim dilutes Democratic voting strength in key suburbs. They contend that temporary legislative control would allow for a map that better reflects the state’s political makeup and ensures competitive elections. Opponents, including Republican officials and good government organizations, warn that letting legislators draw their own districts undermines voter-approved reforms and risks entrenching partisan bias, regardless of which party holds power.
The Virginia Redistricting Commission, composed of eight legislators and eight citizens with equal party representation, has been responsible for drawing state and congressional districts since 2021. Its creation followed years of advocacy for independent redistricting after court-ordered maps were used in 2016 and 2018 due to racial gerrymandering findings. The commission’s 2021 map withstood legal challenges and was used in the 2022 and 2024 elections.
Early voting for the special election began ahead of April 21, with election officials urging voters to consult the Virginia Department of Elections website for polling locations, hours, and identification requirements. Voters must present an acceptable form of ID, such as a Virginia driver’s license, passport, or military ID, or sign an affidavit of identity if they lack documentation. Results will be tabulated after polls close at 7:00 p.m. Local time and reported through the state’s official election portal.
The outcome of the referendum could influence the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, where Democrats currently hold a narrow majority. A successful Democratic-leaning map in Virginia could shift one or more seats, potentially affecting legislative priorities on issues ranging from healthcare to climate policy. Conversely, rejection of the amendment would preserve the commission-drawn map for the remainder of the decade, maintaining the status quo established in 2021.
As of the date of this article, no official results have been released. The Virginia Department of Elections will post unofficial tallies on election night and certify final results following the standard canvass process. Voters seeking real-time updates or official documentation are directed to the state’s election website, which provides access to sample ballots, voter guides, and contact information for local registrars.
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