Gerrymander Wars Headed to Virginia
The state of Virginia is bracing for a contentious redistricting battle. Governor Abigail Spanberger is drawing fire for shifting away from her moderate approach, opting instead for maps that favor Democrats, coupled with new taxes and an expansion of collective bargaining for unions. This shift seems to be impacting her approval ratings, with increasing voter frustration highlighted in the ongoing debate.
The Honest Election Project Action (HEP) has presented a report claiming that the impending redistricting, supported by Spanberger, represents a significant Democratic “power grab” in this historically pivotal swing state. According to the report, following a return to power in 2025, Democrats are allegedly “rigging the rules to avoid losing power.” It’s pointed out that during this legislative session, Virginia’s Democratic-controlled General Assembly has passed more election bills than any other state—54 in total.
The recently passed bill will prevent immigration enforcement from polling stations, broaden ranked-choice voting, and impose new restrictions on removing voters deemed ineligible. Spanberger also endorsed a measure linking Virginia to the National Popular Vote Compact, which seeks to award Electoral College votes based on the national popular vote. Perhaps most notably, she approved a bill to initiate a referendum allowing Congress to redraw congressional districts—an action critics say could favor Democrats significantly.
“Democrats are leveraging their new standing for a partisan power grab and are undermining election security,” the HEP report states, noting Virginia as a prime example of the left’s gerrymandering inconsistencies—denouncing opponents’ actions while utilizing the same tactics themselves.
Accusations of Gerrymandering
If voters approve the referendum today, it will amend Virginia’s Constitution to empower lawmakers in redistricting the House districts ahead of the 2026 midterms, putting the established bipartisan redistricting process on hold temporarily. Spanberger expressed full support for this amendment in her statements. She described it as a necessary response to the evolving landscape in other states, while maintaining that Virginia’s bipartisan roots in redistricting remain strong.
As a Virginia voter, Spanberger is endorsing the amendment, emphasizing that it helps “preserve Virginia’s bipartisan approach into the future.” Former President Barack Obama has also come out in support, urging Virginians to endorse the amendment.
On the other hand, HEP argues that the legislative pursuits this year do not enhance democracy but rather exemplify the left’s tactics of trading electoral security for partisan gain. Over the course of the session, Democrats reportedly addressed almost every demand from their election reform wish list, introducing 103 related bills with an overwhelming majority, 93%, directed to Spanberger.
Some points of contention include laws prohibiting immigration enforcement within 40 feet of polling locations, which the HEP report argues creates “sanctuaries” for undocumented individuals during elections. The report also criticizes initiatives like ranked-choice voting and the National Popular Vote Agreement as structural changes skewing the political balance to the left.
Additionally, lawmakers passed a measure aimed at automatically restoring voting rights to felons post-release, which will also be on the ballot this November for voter approval. A further bill aims to prevent the matching of state voter rolls with the federal verification system to identify noncitizens, highlighting a pushback against broader immigration enforcement.
Amidst this backdrop, critics assert that Virginia’s actions stand out in their extent and reach in rewriting election laws.
Reflection on Democratic Strategy
Jason Snead from Honest Elections Project Action condemned the Virginia Democratic Party’s recent measures as a blatant attempt to consolidate power. He asserted that it’s a pattern for Democrats nationwide to manipulate rules once they gain control, aligning their interests with the changes being imposed.
Fox News Digital has attempted to contact Spanberger’s office and key leaders in the Virginia House and Senate for their responses on the matter.
