What You Need to Know About VA’s Redistricting Amendment

Virginia voters are one step closer to weighing in on redrawing congressional maps mid-decade.

VPM Reported that “The House of Delegates Appropriations Committee voted 15–7 on Thursday to move forward a bill introduced by Chair Luke Torian (D–Prince William) that would set April 21 as the date for a ballot referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment that passed through the legislature on a partisan vote last week.”

As with any constitutional amendment in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the proposed text requires voters’ approval, which drives the need for a ballot referendum.

What does this proposed amendment do?

This amendment would give the General Assembly the authority to go around the state’s bipartisan independent commission — which typically redraws maps after a decennial census — if other states undergo mid-decade redistricting.

That condition has already been triggered by efforts in other states started by President Donald Trump’s successful pressure campaign to redraw Texas maps, giving the GOP five additional seats in the US House of Representatives.

New maps in Virginia could shift the balance of the state’s congressional seats from 6-5 to 9-2 or even 10–1 in favor of Democrats.

“If we were to not act — or at least give the voters the opportunity to choose to act — then we would be allowing for Texas, Florida and North Carolina to diminish the power of our Virginians’ vote,” said Del. Marcia S. “Cia” Price, D-Newport News.

When will we see the proposed maps?

Democratic lawmakers have said that the proposed maps could be ready by January 30, but it’s not clear who is producing them. We do know that the National Democratic Redistricting Commission presented maps to Virginia lawmakers, but those have not been made public.

Why are they going through budget appropriations vs. the normal legislative process?

Most bills that go through the legislative process go into effect in July after the primary elections have taken place. Regular legislation can go into effect earlier, but it must include an emergency clause and be supported by at least 80% of each chamber. In contrast, bills that go through the appropriations process take effect right away. This allows for the referendum date to be set in April in advance of the June primary election.

The bill also appropriates more than $5 million for election-related expenses.

Will Virginia voters support this amendment?

A simple majority is required for the proposed amendment text to pass, and Virginia Democrats believe this will happen given voting trends and public sentiment about federal meddling in states’ election processes. They believe voters will see the need for Virginia to be able to react to changes being made in other states that are attempting to shift the balance of power in Congress.

Governor Abigail Spanberger believes that even without map changes, Democrats would pick up two seats. In a December interview with Politico, she noted that she had carried the 1st and 2nd Districts, which stretch from Henrico County to Virginia Beach.

“I want to flip seats in the House of Representatives, and I know that we can because we just — I just won those districts,” she said.

Will Virginia Republicans fight back?

Republicans have tried multiple times, and unsuccessfully, to halt Democrats’ effort to pass their redistricting measure. Last week, a county judge denied a bid by the GOP to block the redistricting process. Virginia Republicans are expected to continue fighting the redistricting process, likely through an opposition campaign organized against the ballot measure. They could also try to thwart the process in other ways, such as by contesting the ballot language.

What does this mean for the Congressional candidates?

For the candidates, the redistricting attempt means chaos and uncertainty. Incumbents and those running for the nomination in a primary aren’t certain what their district will look like or if their residence will fall within the new boundaries. They will likely have to decide which district they wish to run in and collect additional signatures to get on the appropriate ballots.

The current candidate filing deadline for Virginia’s June primary is April 2, which falls before the ballot referendum on 4/21. That means Democrats will need to adjust that date in order for candidates to qualify under the new lines.

What’s next?

Virginia voters will have the opportunity to determine if maps can be redrawn mid-decade in response to action taken by other states. The ballot referendum is scheduled for April 21, so mark you calendar now to get to the polls and make your voice heard.

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