Why you should vote YES on Virginia’s Constitutional Amendment
What is Virginia’s current law?
Virginia’s eleven congressional districts are drawn once every 10 years by the Virginia Redistricting Commission. The Commission is made up of 8 legislators and 8 citizens with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. The districts were last redrawn in 2021 and will be next redrawn in 2031.
What does the amendment propose?
The proposed amendment would give the General Assembly the authority to redraw more of Virginia’s congressional districts before 2031 in limited circumstances, such as if another state redraws its own congressional districts before 2013 without being authorized by a court to do so. This power would continue until October 31, 2030, and the Virginia Redistricting Commission would reassume the responsibility in 2031.
The proposed district map has been approved by the General Assembly and would take affect only if the amendment is approved by voters.
What does a “yes” vote mean?
The General Assembly can redraw Virginia’s congressional districts, since other states have done so.
The proposed district map would take effect in time for the 2026 Congressional elections.
A temporary, emergency step would be enacted to combat other states’ unfair re-districting practices.
Control of the U.S. House will likely be flipped, restoring checks on the executive branch that other states’ redistricting practices seek to combat.
Fairness in the country regarding redistricting in time for the upcoming elections would be restored.