Virginia voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment that grants the state General Assembly the authority to redraw congressional districts before the 2030 census, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). The measure, which appeared on the ballot during a special election on April 21, 2026, passed with a narrow margin and is expected to significantly alter the state’s political landscape ahead of the November midterm elections.
With approximately 90% of the estimated vote processed, the "Yes" campaign held a lead of just over one percentage point. DDHQ, along with major news outlets including the AP and NBC, projected the measure's passage based on remaining uncounted ballots in heavily Democratic areas. These regions include Fairfax County, Richmond, and Charlottesville, where support for the amendment remained robust throughout the evening. Early voting figures indicated that more than 1.37 million ballots were cast prior to Tuesday’s election, reflecting high engagement for a standalone constitutional referendum.
The approval of the amendment triggers the implementation of House Bill 29, a redistricting plan signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger on February 20, 2026. Under the new map, the partisan composition of Virginia’s 11-seat U.S. House delegation is projected to shift from its current 6-5 Democratic majority to a potential 10-1 split. This could result in a net gain of four seats for Democrats, a critical development as both parties vie for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The General Assembly passed the measure in party-line votes earlier this year, with the state House voting 61-34 and the Senate voting 21-19.
Governor Spanberger characterized the referendum as a necessary response to mid-decade redistricting efforts by Republican legislatures in states such as Texas and Missouri. Spanberger argued that the measure restores fairness by countering a national redistricting arms race. The "Yes" campaign was bolstered by high-profile endorsements, including former President Barack Obama, and saw heavy financial backing, with pro-amendment groups spending over $64 million.
The election served as a significant test for Spanberger’s administration and a focal point for national political figures. President Donald Trump, currently in the second year of his second term, had actively campaigned against the measure, urging Virginia Republicans to maintain the GOP’s narrow majority in Congress. Opponents of the measure, who raised approximately $30 million, argued that the move undermined the nonpartisan commission established by voters in 2020.
Despite the projected victory, the new maps face ongoing legal scrutiny. The Virginia Supreme Court is currently reviewing challenges to the constitutionality of the amendment process. While the high court allowed the special election to proceed, a final ruling could still impact the implementation of the new boundaries. For now, the amendment provides that the General Assembly will retain redistricting authority until October 31, 2030, at which point the power will revert to the state’s nonpartisan redistricting commission.