Virginia redistricting referendum cleared for April ballot, could flip 3-5 House seats

Judge PGPatricia Giles of 🏛️Virginia Circuit Court ruled on Feb. 13, 2026, that the redistricting referendum can proceed. The vote is scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The referendum asks: 'Shall 🏛️Virginia establish an independent citizens redistricting commission to draw congressional and General Assembly district maps?' A simple majority is required for passage.

🏛️Virginia Republicans filed suit on Jan. 28 arguing the General Assembly can't delegate redistricting to voters. Judge Giles found the referendum complies with Article II, Section 6 of Virginia's constitution, which allows citizens to propose constitutional amendments.

Current congressional maps were drawn by Republicans in 2021 after they controlled redistricting following the 2020 census. The maps give Republicans a structural advantage in seven of 11 congressional districts.

The Princeton Gerrymandering Project analysis found the proposed commission could flip three to five House seats from Republican to competitive or Democratic. This matters because Republicans hold just a 221-214 House majority nationally.

Fourteen states currently use independent redistricting commissions: 🌵Arizona, 🌴California, 🏔️Colorado, 🌺Hawaii, 🥔Idaho, 🚗Michigan, 🦌Montana, 🏖️New Jersey, 🗽New York, 🌰Ohio, 🔔Pennsylvania, 🏜️Utah, 🌲Washington, and 🧀Wisconsin. Research shows these commissions produce more competitive districts.

A February Roanoke College poll found 58% of 🏛️Virginia voters support the referendum, 23% oppose, and 19% are undecided. Support is bipartisan: 73% of Democrats, 61% of independents, and 41% of Republicans back it.