(The Center Square) – Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday that could reshape the state’s congressional map ahead of the November election, while setting up a continued legal fight now before the state Supreme Court.
Three major litigations are ongoing.
With all precincts in, the Virginia Department of Elections ruled the yes votes a winner 51.5%-48.6% from more than 3 million cast. The totals, still pending mailed votes counted by noon Friday, on Wednesday afternoon were 1,575,288-1,486,229.
Final briefs in one case are due Thursday at the state Supreme Court.
Lower courts in Tazewell County had ruled the amendment process invalid, including a finding that the initial legislative passage was void on procedural grounds. The court stayed those injunctions, allowing the referendum to proceed while the case continues.
The legal challenge centers on whether lawmakers followed constitutional requirements when placing the amendment on the ballot. Plaintiffs have argued the measure was improperly advanced during a special session and did not meet required timing between legislative approvals and voter consideration. Those claims have not been decided on the merits.
If ultimately upheld, the amendment would allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts before the next census, potentially altering Virginia’s representation in the U.S. House.
Virginia has six Democrats and five Republicans in its congressional delegation, and a new map could make that advantage 10-1. The outcome could carry national implications as control of the U.S. House remains closely divided.
The ballot measure asked voters whether lawmakers should be allowed to temporarily adopt new congressional districts ahead of the next census, while returning to the state’s standard redistricting process afterward.
Campaign finance records show roughly $111 million was spent on the amendment, reflecting the high stakes surrounding the proposal.
Voting patterns showed Virginia’s regional divide, with stronger support in Northern Virginia and urban areas and opposition concentrated in rural and western parts of the state, while competitive areas such as Virginia Beach again highlighted the state’s political divide.
