Virginia’s April 21 Ballot: A Vote on Redrawing Congressional Districts Early
Virginia voters will decide April 21 whether to allow lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional districts before the next scheduled redistricting cycle. The proposal, outlined in the official “Explanation for Voters,” would temporarily shift some authority from the state’s redistricting commission to the General Assembly under specific conditions.
What’s on the Ballot
The amendment focuses specifically on congressional districts, not all political maps.
Under current law, congressional districts are drawn once every 10 years by the Virginia Redistricting Commission, a bipartisan body made up of legislators and citizens. The last redraw occurred in 2021, and the next is scheduled for 2031.
The proposed amendment would allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts before 2031, but only under certain conditions.
What Would Change
If approved, the amendment would allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts if another state redraws its districts early without a court order.
This authority would:
- Expire on Oct. 31, 2030
- Apply only under those specific conditions
- Return to the redistricting commission in 2031
The amendment also includes a pre-approved district map, which would take effect if voters approve the measure.
What a “Yes” Vote Means
A “yes” vote would:
- Allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts before 2031 under the stated conditions
- Approve a new congressional district map for use in the 2026 elections
- Return authority to the redistricting commission beginning in 2031
In effect, a “yes” vote creates a pathway for earlier redistricting tied to actions taken in other states.
What a “No” Vote Means
A “no” vote would:
- Keep the current system unchanged
- Leave congressional redistricting with the commission
- Maintain the current district map until 2031
In effect, a “no” vote preserves the existing once-per-decade redistricting cycle.
Why This Matters in Richmond and Central Virginia
Congressional district lines determine who represents communities in Washington.
That includes residents in Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County and Goochland County.
If districts are redrawn earlier than expected, representation in Congress could shift ahead of the 2026 elections. Communities could be regrouped, and political influence across the region could change.
National Context
The proposal reflects a broader national trend in how states approach redistricting.
In recent years, some states have redrawn congressional maps more than once within a decade, sometimes for political reasons rather than court orders. The amendment anticipates that possibility by allowing Virginia to respond if other states act.
At the same time, decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court have limited federal oversight of partisan gerrymandering. That has placed more responsibility on states to define their own redistricting rules.
As a result, state-level decisions like this one can carry national implications, particularly for the balance of power in Congress.
A Shift in Timing and Authority
The amendment does not eliminate the redistricting commission. Instead, it introduces flexibility into what has traditionally been a fixed 10-year cycle.
It temporarily expands the role of the General Assembly while preserving the commission’s authority for the next scheduled redistricting in 2031.
For voters, the question becomes whether redistricting should remain predictable and scheduled, or whether the state should be able to respond to changes in other states.
What to Do Before You Vote
Voters should review the ballot language and confirm their voting details before heading to the polls.
Polling locations, registration status and sample ballots are available through the Virginia Department of Elections:
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup/
Why Turnout Matters
Ballot measures often receive less attention than candidate races but can have long-term impact.
This decision will determine whether Virginia can redraw congressional districts before 2031 and how the state responds to changes elsewhere. With typically lower turnout in special elections, a relatively small number of voters may decide an issue with statewide and national implications.
Author
