Virginia House passes amendment allowing redistricting to counter GOP gerrymanders

The Virginia House of Delegates approved a Democratic-backed constitutional amendment Wednesday that would allow lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade, a significant step toward countering nationwide GOP gerrymanders.

A Democratic redraw could give the party as many as four new congressional seats.

The House voted 62–33 to pass the amendment, just hours after the measure cleared the House Privileges and Elections Committee on the opening day of the 2026 General Assembly session. 

The amendment now heads to the Senate, where Democrats also hold a majority and are expected back to act quickly.

Virginia constitutional amendments must pass two separately elected legislatures. Approval by the Senate would mark the final legislative step, and the amendment would then be sent to voters in a statewide referendum, likely in April. Only if voters approve the measure would lawmakers be authorized to enact new congressional maps.

Democrats have said the amendment is a necessary response to President Donald Trump’s push for Republican-controlled states to redraw congressional maps outside the normal census cycle in order to lock in GOP advantages before the midterm elections. Without a countermeasure, Democrats argue, states that follow independent or bipartisan redistricting rules could see their national influence diminished.

The amendment would allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts through 2030 if another state undertakes non-decennial redistricting. Supporters emphasize that the bipartisan redistricting commission adopted by voters in 2020 would remain intact for regular cycles.

“This allows the voters to decide how we do redistricting. They will decide through a referendum,” Del. Rodney Willett, the amendment’s sponsor, said during House testimony. “It does not eliminate the Virginia Redistricting Commission.”

Democratic leaders have increasingly signaled that, if the amendment is ultimately passed by the legislature, they intend to pursue a congressional map that would leave Republicans with just one of Virginia’s 11 U.S. House seats — a shift that could carry national consequences in a narrowly divided House. Republicans currently hold five seats, while Democrats hold six.

House passage of the redistricting amendment was part of a broader package of four constitutional amendments advanced by Democrats on Wednesday, including proposals protecting abortion rights, enshrining same-sex marriage, and restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions.