(The Center Square) – Virginians can begin casting ballots Friday in a special election that could affect how congressional districts are redrawn in the commonwealth, even as the legality of the referendum itself remains under review by the state Supreme Court.
Early voting began for a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the Virginia General Assembly to redraw congressional districts before the next census under limited circumstances. Election Day for the referendum is April 21.
Virginia’s congressional districts are drawn once every decade through a redistricting process created by a constitutional amendment voters approved in 2020. The state’s districts were adopted in 2021 and are scheduled to remain in place until the next redistricting cycle following the 2030 census.
The amendment on the ballot would temporarily allow lawmakers to redraw one or more congressional districts before 2031 if another state redraws its districts mid-decade without a court order. That authority would expire Oct. 31, 2030.
Supporters say the proposal would allow Virginia to respond if other states alter congressional maps between census cycles. Opponents say the measure weakens the independent redistricting system voters approved just a few years ago.
The referendum has also triggered multiple legal challenges.
Republican groups and lawmakers filed lawsuits questioning whether the General Assembly followed the constitutional process required to place the amendment on the ballot. One case filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court led Judge Jack Hurley Jr. to order state and local election officials to stop preparing for the referendum in that county.
The Virginia Supreme Court later intervened, pausing the lower court’s order and allowing the referendum to proceed statewide while legal challenges continue. The ruling cleared the way for early voting to begin across Virginia.
The issue has also drawn national political attention.
Former President Barack Obama released a video message this week urging Virginians to support the amendment, arguing it would counter mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states.
“This amendment gives you the power to level the playing field in the midterms this fall,” Obama said in the video.
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott also voiced support, thanking Obama on social media for backing the measure and encouraging voters to approve the referendum.
Republicans, meanwhile, have organized a statewide campaign opposing the proposal.
U.S. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., announced the launch of a grassroots effort called “Stop the Gerrymander,” aimed at persuading voters to reject the amendment.
In a statement, Cline said the referendum is an attempt to create a congressional map that favors Democrats and undermines the bipartisan redistricting system voters approved in 2020.
“This illegal, partisan power grab must be stopped,” Cline said.
The political debate comes as courts continue reviewing whether the referendum itself was placed on the ballot properly. The Virginia Supreme Court has indicated it will address those legal questions after voters cast ballots.
For now, election officials across Virginia have begun administering early voting ahead of the April 21 statewide vote.
If voters approve the amendment and courts ultimately uphold the process, lawmakers could redraw congressional districts before the next census. If the amendment fails or courts invalidate the process, Virginia’s current congressional map would remain in place.
