Virginia voters approved a mid-decade redistricting referendum that would allow Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional map before the 2026 midterm elections. The vote showed 51.5 percent in favor and 48.5 percent against, with approximately 97 percent of ballots counted.

The outcome will prompt the Virginia legislature to temporarily adjust congressional districts, projected to grant Democrats a 10-1 advantage over Republicans. Currently, Virginia’s congressional delegation includes six Democrats and five Republicans.

Former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin criticized the result, stating: “Thank you to all the voters who turned out to vote against this egregious power grab. The race was much closer than the left expected because Virginians know a 10-1 map is not Virginia.” He further urged the Virginia Supreme Court to rule against what he called an unconstitutional process that would disenfranchise millions.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II, a Republican, noted: “The ‘yes’ vote has won Va’s redistricting referendum — but the legal fight is just beginning. Four Va Constitutional challenges are now teed up.” He cited potential violations of contiguity requirements and procedural flaws in the amendment process.

A Virginia Supreme Court ruling remains pending on lower-court appeals challenging the referendum’s validity, with the high court having precedent to annul election results if constitutional or legal standards were breached. Legal experts warned that opponents could disrupt the timeline for implementing the redrawn map, though Democrats now face the challenge of translating this shift into electoral outcomes ahead of the 2026 elections.