Virginia’s Redistricting Referendum: A Mixed Bag of Reactions
Williamsburg, Virginia – This week I crossed paths with Debbie, an 80-year-old great-grandmother of eight, who was outside her hotel enjoying a cigarette. She came from rural Georgia and, in the softest voice, asked me about the “yes” and “no” signs she saw along the road.
I took a moment to explain the upcoming referendum on April 21st, which aims to amend the state constitution and adjust Virginia’s congressional districts from a 6-5 Democratic advantage to a staggering 10-1. With a smile, she commented, “Well, everyone’s screaming about something these days.”
I was taken aback by her insight. My son has been busy counting yard signs as he drove south through the Commonwealth. Despite recalling the last election vividly, he couldn’t even make phone calls due to work commitments.
He reported seeing around 20 “yes” signs and about 15 “no” signs. The “yes” signs tended to pop up in affluent suburbs, while the “no” signs were mostly found in rural areas where the Democrats are pushing for approval. One sign was even on a tractor, but Debbie’s perspective made the whole situation feel a tad absurd.
It’s surreal driving hundreds of miles only to see signs with simple messages urging people to choose sides. It feels almost like something out of a Jonathan Swift tale—void of context or depth. This campaign in Virginia seems to echo that sentiment.
One local Democrat named Jody, who teaches in Newport News, shared her perspective: “This isn’t about having the moral high ground,” she explained. “Because they don’t care about that. If we’re the only ones holding that line, we’re at a disadvantage.”
Her words brought to mind a Republican I spoke with recently in Texas. He argued that their redistricting efforts were a reaction to a dwindling number of Republican representatives, despite New England being 40% Republican.
Liam, a retired Republican from Virginia, seemed to grasp this reality well. He remarked, “This is clearly unfair and anti-Democratic, yet everyone sticks with their party because they can always say, ‘Texas did it too.’”
Another passerby remarked, “It’s a disaster right now. No one’s even talking.”
Since the dawn of our republic—and even in Britain a century earlier—political factions have been warned against putting party interests above national concerns. George Washington, who studied in Williamsburg, cautioned against such divisions in his farewell address, fearing they could lead to tyranny.
Interestingly, Spanberger, who once criticized gerrymandering, now supports this amendment, alleging it could potentially wipe out the Virginia Republican Party.
The current redistricting trend, which has, in effect, disenfranchised countless Republicans, is telling. Transforming a 6-5 margin into a 10-1 advantage seems extraordinarily unfair, and many Republicans hope that recognizing this will bring about change.
Yet the Democratic voters I converse with seem aware of the issues at hand. They recognize, perhaps reluctantly, that the fairness claims in local TV ads, like those from Barack Obama, are disingenuous. Still, they believe defeating Republicans is paramount.
A curious point about this referendum—happening in the home state of the Constitution’s author, James Madison—is that turnout during the special election is expected to be quite low, even though constitutional amendments usually garner significant support.
This referendum could drastically impact President Donald Trump, influencing whether he remains in a state of political limbo or steps into leadership. It’s unsettling that this decision rests in the hands of a relatively small group who barely discuss it.
As a cautionary note to Virginia Republicans: winning over hearts and minds may not be the way to go. Ultimately, it’s about turnout, necessitating a strong ground presence, including door-to-door canvassing and signage efforts.
In a rather somber reflection, Debbie is indeed correct. This referendum, originating in the birthplace of the Constitution, has devolved into mere noise. At least on her drive home, she’ll have a better understanding of what all the shouting is about.
It’s a classic case of positioning and reaction—perhaps even an old Bugs Bunny routine in reverse psychology might be more effective than the prevailing arguments.
