Virginia Redistricting Referendum Narrowly Passes, Paving Way for Democrats to Target Up to Four House Seats

Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that paves the way for a new congressional map designed to help Democrats gain up to four additional U.S. House seats in the November midterm elections.

The referendum, which bypasses the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission, allows the use of districts drawn by state lawmakers for this year’s elections. The measure passed narrowly but decisively, according to multiple news projections.

The change could significantly alter the balance of power in the closely divided Congress, where control of the House remains uncertain heading into the midterms. Democrats see the new map as a critical opportunity to expand their majority, while Republicans have criticized the move as a partisan power grab.

Voter turnout for the referendum was steady across the state, with polling locations in Alexandria and other communities reporting consistent participation. “I Voted” stickers were distributed at voting sites, reflecting standard election-day procedures.