(The Center Square) – More than 181,000 Virginians have already cast early ballots ahead of April 21 in the state’s referendum on congressional map redrawing, with turnout picking up as voting moves into its second week.
The referendum is to decide whether to amend Virginia’s constitution to allow lawmakers to redraw congressional districts before the next census under limited conditions. It returns to every 10 years in 2030.
The measure is still facing legal challenges, though the Virginia Supreme Court has allowed early voting to continue while those cases are reviewed.
Data from the Virginia Public Access Project, citing the Virginia Department of Elections, shows 181,518 early votes cast statewide as of Monday.
Most ballots have been cast in person, with mail voting making up a smaller share. Voting activity has increased in recent days after a slower start when early voting began March 6.
On Friday, more than 40,000 ballots were cast in a single day, including about 27,000 in-person votes and more than 13,000 returned by mail.
Turnout varies across the commonwealth.
Some smaller localities are seeing higher participation rates. Mathews County leads with early votes at about 9.1% of registered voters. Williamsburg and James City County are both near 6.9%, followed by Lexington, Middlesex and York County.
Other localities, including Goochland, Fluvanna and Rockbridge counties, are also above 5%.
In Central Virginia, Hanover County has recorded 3,425 early votes so far.
In Northern Virginia, Fairfax County has reported more than 15,000 early votes, the highest volume total in the state, though turnout remains under 2% of registered voters. Fairfax City has recorded 977 early ballots.
Hampton Roads localities are also seeing lower turnout percentages. Suffolk has reported 1,602 early votes, while larger cities in the region remain below 3%.
By congressional district, early voting totals are highest in the 6th District, with more than 25,000 ballots cast. The 1st and 5th districts follow, while the 3rd District has reported the lowest total so far.
Early voting will continue through April ahead of Election Day.
