Democratic state lawmakers in Virginia are fast-tracking a new congressional map designed to give the party up to four more left-leaning seats. Governor Abigail Spanberger signed enabling legislation on February 6 to set an April 21 referendum for the plan. The proposal would strip redistricting power from a non-partisan commission and return it to the Democratic-controlled legislature.
Republicans have slammed the effort as an "unconstitutional power grab" intended to rig the upcoming midterm elections. House Speaker Don Scott and other Democrats argue the move is a necessary response to GOP redistricting in states like Texas and North Carolina. The new "10-1" map could flip four Republican-held seats, virtually guaranteeing Democratic control of the state's delegation.
The redistricting push hit a major judicial roadblock on January 27 when a state judge declared the plan unconstitutional. Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. ruled that Democrats failed to follow proper procedural requirements during the amendment process. Democrats have appealed the ruling to the Virginia Supreme Court, claiming the decision was the product of "court-shopping."
The high-stakes battle in Virginia is part of a national feud over congressional maps ahead of the November elections. President Trump has urged Republican-led states to enact mid-decade redistricting to protect the GOP's thin House majority. Democrats have countered with their own aggressive maneuvers in California, where Governor Gavin Newsom won approval for a similar power shift.
Early voting for the Virginia referendum is scheduled to begin on March 6, provided the state Supreme Court allows it to proceed. Republicans warn that the proposal "rigs the game before a single vote is cast" and ignores the will of the people. If the court upholds the lower court's ruling, the maps would not take effect until after the 2026 midterms.
The Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling in Louisiana v. Callais also hovers over these redistricting wars. A conservative victory in that case could lead to the redrawing of majority-minority districts nationwide, a move that would favor Republicans. For now, both parties are racing against the clock as the first primary elections of the 2026 cycle approach.