Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) expressed satisfaction after the state’s redistricting referendum was passed by a narrow margin, which will enable Democrats to adjust the congressional map to their advantage.
Spanberger remarked, via a post, that “Virginia voters have made their voices heard, countering President Donald Trump.” This statement followed coverage from various news outlets, including the Associated Press, about the election results.
According to the Associated Press, with a voter turnout of 95%, the proposed constitutional amendment received 1,543,746 votes in favor, amounting to 51.4%, while 1,462,766 votes opposed it, which is 48.7%.
AP reported on the progression of the race.
“Virginia voters made a stand tonight against a president who feels ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats in Congress,” Spanberger stated. “Unlike other states that complied with such demands without asking voters for input, Virginia stood its ground.”
“We responded appropriately,” Spanberger continued. “It’s about what happens at the ballot box.”
Before taking office in November, Spanberger reportedly had “no intention to redistrict Virginia,” as noted by ABC7 News. She had mentioned this in August 2025.
“Virginia’s amendment initiated a new redistricting process that will be implemented for the first time during the 2021 cycle. I’ll be keeping an eye on how other states are approaching this, but there are no intentions to alter Virginia’s districts,” she said.
The outcome of the referendum could shift the state’s congressional representation from a slim 6-5 to a more Democratic-leaning 10-1 advantage, as highlighted by the Virginia Mercury.
Other senators from Virginia, including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, remarked that voters were reacting to what he termed “unprecedented gerrymandering elsewhere.”
Former Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) expressed his gratitude to voters who opposed “this egregious power grab.” He noted that, “The results were closer than anticipated because Virginians recognize that a 10-1 map isn’t representative of Virginia. I urge the Virginia Supreme Court to reject this unconstitutional method that undermines millions of Virginians’ voices.”
The endorsement of the redistricting referendum follows the Texas Senate’s approval of the “Big Beautiful Map” in August 2025, which reconfigured the state’s legislative boundaries. Subsequently, in December 2025, the Supreme Court permitted Texas to maintain its congressional map, potentially adding up to five House seats for the Republican Party.
