On Friday, the Virginia Senate approved a constitutional amendment permitting the state to adjust congressional boundaries temporarily before the next census. This move comes as Democrats aim to counter Republican redistricting initiatives nationwide.
The amendment, which gained approval with a 21-16 vote, allows states to redistrict mid-decade if another state updates its House maps first, but only until October 31, 2030. This presents a time-limited opportunity for Democrats to make changes.
Earlier in the week, Virginia Democrats had also passed the amendment through the House of Representatives.
For the amendment to reach the public, it needs to pass once more in the state legislature, with Democrats aiming for a vote early next year. They are hoping to have it on the ballot by spring or summer, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
With next year’s elections approaching, Virginia Democrats are eager to redraw the House maps to mitigate expected Republican gains in states like Texas and Missouri. There’s also pressure from the White House and national Republican leaders as they redraw their own maps.
For Democrats, securing the House represents their best shot at flipping Congress, which could impede President Trump’s legislative efforts during his final two years in office.
However, Republicans are challenging the new maps. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) recently opined that Democrats cannot present any redistricting-related constitutional amendments to voters until after the 2026 election.
In addition, leading Republican figures have filed a lawsuit claiming the House of Delegates lacks the constitutional authority to redistrict. They’re questioning how Democrats approached this issue. Although a judge denied a request to block the amendment while the lawsuit is being reviewed, a hearing for a declaratory judgment has been scheduled.
