Virginia Republicans blast redistricting amendment before special election

Ahead of Tuesday’s special election, Virginia Republicans blasted a proposed constitutional amendment in their state that could soon cost them their congressional seats, calling the effort the most “unfair” in a series of redrawn maps across the country.

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., believes it’s a sentiment shared by voters.

“I was with a group of Virginia Watermen from all over the state this morning and they are [feeling] in the same way. They say ‘no, we’re not going to let them make us a state governed only by part of the state,'” Wittman said.

Virginia’s redistricting effort, which requires a statewide vote to take effect, follows similar redistrictings in Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Utah.

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Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s rebuttal of SOTU sparked strong pushback from conservatives (Mike Kropf/Getty Images)

But unlike many other states that already enjoy a distinct party advantage in one way or another, the Virginia Republican Party has lambasted what it sees as a drastic power shift that they say distorts the state’s purple voting base.

If successful, the new maps would temporarily transform the current 6-5 congressional divide into a 10-1 advantage for Democrats by expanding the boundaries of traditionally Republican areas across Democratic strongholds. The state’s normal process, conducted by a nonpartisan redistricting commission, would resume in 2030 during the next U.S. census.

With up to four additional seats, Democrats hope to regain control of the House of Representatives, where a razor-thin majority favors Republicans – for now.

The GOP holds a 217-213 advantage in the House.

Democrats who support the idea argue that Virginia is key to balancing Republican-led gerrymandering efforts that began in Texas, calling the push pure retaliation.

“Virginia’s redistricting referendum gives voters the power to respond to a president who says he is ‘entitled’ to more GOP seats in Congress before Americans cast their ballots in the midterms. [and] to efforts in other states to give her these seats,” Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said in a message after calling the vote last month.

Former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin argued that the state’s current makeup more accurately reflects Virginia’s population.

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Former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the Virginians for Fair Maps rally in Bridgewater, Va., Saturday, April 11, 2026. Virginia voters will decide whether Virginia’s congressional districts will be redrawn to counter Texas redistricting. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

“We have fair maps today that represent Virginians, and this constitutional amendment would mean we would be going for the most unfair maps in America, and therefore, ‘no’ is the right vote,” Youngkin said.

Although the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that politically favoring one party through state district design is constitutional, the practice, better known as gerrymandering, has been banned in Virginia since a 2020 constitutional referendum.

However, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the state could temporarily amend its constitution to allow the new maps to be implemented.

“‘Do you want to temporarily restore fairness to elections?'” said Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., referring to the referendum’s wording.

“It’s insane the way this question is worded. So wrong how it’s written. But here we are. This is our chance to use our voice and our vote. And it’s very powerful. But the ball is in our court.”

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., argued that rolling back that ban now would be a mistake, even if it is temporary in nature.

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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) attends a press conference with Republican leaders on Capitol Hill on September 18, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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“Virginians spoke up in 2020; you know what they said? By a supermajority, they said no to gerrymandering. They said, ‘Let’s make a bipartisan determination of these districts.’ And by the way, they have been shown to be the most bipartisan districts in the United States,” Wittman said.

Polls in Virginia open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.