Virginia Voters Approve Gerrymandered House Map
On Tuesday, Virginia voters narrowly supported a redistricted House map, which is expected to increase the number of Democratic seats by four in the upcoming midterm elections.
The Virginia Redistricting Amendment, proposed for 2026, received approval with 51% voting “yes” and 49% saying “no,” according to reports. This means that former Vice President Kamala Harris secured victory in the lightly Democratic-leaning state, with projections suggesting that by 2024, 91% of House seats might be held by Democrats.
Before this new map, Democrats controlled 6 out of 11 seats in Virginia, a slight edge over Harris’s own performance in the state. However, some analysts warn that this current gerrymandering could marginalize rural voters, potentially leaving Republicans with only a single district in the 9th. The map redraws four districts previously associated with Republican representatives like Rob Whitman and Jen Quiggans, now appearing more favorable to Democratic candidates.
A coalition called “Virginians for Fair Elections” heavily funded the “Yes” campaign, raising around $64 million, with a substantial portion allocated to television advertising. The Washington Post highlighted the complexity in tracing the funding sources for this initiative, comparing it to “unraveling Russian nesting dolls.”
This group received $5 million from the Fund for Policy Reform, closely linked to left-wing billionaire George Soros and other organizations. Meanwhile, House Majority Forward, another left-leaning group tied to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, contributed around $40 million towards pro-gerrymandering activities, as reported by various sources.
Contrastingly, the “No” campaign, led by Virginians for Fair Maps, managed only $20 million in funding. Supporters of the referendum included notable Democrats from Virginia, such as Governor Abigail Spanberger and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, alongside former President Barack Obama. Their advocacy for the imbalanced maps often emphasized a need to counter previous Republican redistricting efforts.
During the campaign, President Obama argued against Republican tactics, suggesting that approval of the referendum would prevent them from “stealing” congressional seats. In her remarks, Spanberger reiterated this point, emphasizing a distinct approach toward redistricting in Virginia. She encouraged voters to support the measure, stating it was essential for ensuring fair elections.
Interestingly, the referendum passed with a narrower margin than Spanberger’s 15-point victory just a few months earlier. The day prior to voting, former President Trump communicated with supporters, urging them to reject the proposal, claiming it was unfair and detrimental to the state’s electoral integrity.
The sole question posed to voters was whether to amend the Virginia Constitution to allow for temporary modifications to House districts, aimed at restoring electoral fairness while reverting to standard redistricting processes after the 2030 Census.
