Obama calls on Virginians to vote for redistricting in special election

By Matthew Kupfer, Jen Rice

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger joins former President Barack Obama, during a campaign event Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

A day before early voting begins in Virginia’s redistricting referendum, former President Barack Obama called on Virginians to cast their ballots in favor of a state constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to redraw its congressional map to counter pro-GOP gerrymanders in other states.

In a video published on social media Thursday, Obama argued that these Republican-controlled states are redistricting mid-decade to give themselves an unfair advantage in the 2026 midterm elections this November.

“In April, Virginians can respond by making sure your voting power is not diminished by what Republicans are doing in other states,” Obama said. “This amendment gives you the power to level the playing field in the midterms this fall. And voters will have the final say over what the maps look like.”

“This is the responsible thing to do,” he continued. “It’s also a temporary measure. After the 2030 census, Virginia will go back to a system that lets a bipartisan redistricting commission redraw the maps.”

Obama is likely the highest-profile and broadly authoritative Democratic figure to weigh in Virginia redistricting and efforts to counter GOP gerrymanders more broadly.

Virginians will head to the polls to vote in the redistricting special election April 21. Early voting begins Friday, March 6. 

Virginia Democrats are asking voters to approve a “10-1” map that could deliver four more Democratic seats in Congress.

Despite ongoing GOP litigation challenging the plan, the Virginia Supreme Court has ruled multiple times that the election can move forward.

If Virginia Democrats’ new map is approved, it will help to counter a large number of seats the GOP is set to gain by redrawing maps in Texas, North Carolina and Missouri. Republicans will likely also try to redraw the congressional map in Florida in the coming months.

In his video, Obama presented the vote as a measure to ensure the integrity of elections.

“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, but right now they are under threat,” he said.

The same day that Obama released his message, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger also called upon Virginians to vote for redistricting.

President Donald Trump “says that he’s ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats before this year’s midterms — that’s a direct quote, ‘entitled,’” she said in a video published on social media. “And Virginia has the opportunity to take action in response.”

“At this extraordinary moment, I urge all Virginians to join me in voting yes by April 21,” Spanberger added.