Article Text

Virginia voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment allowing state lawmakers to redraw congressional districts before November’s midterm elections.

The measure passed with 51.5% of the vote, while 48.5% opposed it. Its approval permits the General Assembly to adopt new congressional maps once before Virginia returns to its standard redistricting process following the 2030 census.

Fairfax County Public Schools closed on April 21 so buildings could serve as polling locations, creating a day off that had not been included in the school calendar.

Democrats, who took control of Virginia’s state government after sweeping the November 2025 elections, advanced the proposal. They said new maps could improve their party’s chances of winning additional seats in the U.S. House this fall.

Republicans supported a “no” vote, which would have blocked lawmakers from changing the maps this year.

The result could give Democrats an opportunity to gain as many as four congressional seats and produce a 10-1 Democratic advantage in Virginia’s House delegation.

“The vote was much closer than expected,” said Katherine Selmine, a Democratic poll representative at McLean High School. She said strong support in Northern Virginia had led her to expect a quicker result.

John Willman, a Democratic poll representative at Chesterbrook Elementary School, described the outcome as crucial for his party ahead of midterm elections involving President Donald Trump.

Democrats are also considering whether Virginia’s coming district changes could counter Republican-backed maps in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina. Willman said Democratic gains in other states, including California, would also be important.

Sophomore Evan Hyun said he believed the Virginia vote could help produce change in the midterm elections and strengthen opposition to Trump’s agenda.