Overview
- The Senate approved the measure 21–18 after House passage earlier in the week, sending the constitutional amendment to a statewide referendum expected in April.
- If ratified, the legislature would be empowered to redraw Virginia’s U.S. House districts mid‑decade, replacing the current commission’s role through 2030.
- Democrats frame the change as restoring fair representation, while Republicans and the RNC denounce it as a partisan power grab.
- Democratic lawmakers plan to release a proposed congressional map later this month, and a new group, Virginians for Fair Elections, launched to support the ballot measure.
- Virginia’s move fits a broader national wave of mid‑decade redistricting efforts and court fights, including recent actions in Texas and California.