Virginia Voters Approve Democratic Redistricting Plan

Virginia voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday, April 20, allowing a new Democratic-drawn congressional map that could flip four Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The referendum passed with about 51.5% voting yes and 48.6% no.

The new map would give Democrats an advantage in all but one of Virginia's 11 districts, potentially flipping four Republican seats. Both parties have poured significant money into the race, with Democrats spending far more than Republicans. Most funds came from so-called 'dark money' political groups that do not disclose their donors.

The Virginia vote comes as both parties launch mid-decade redistricting efforts in several states. This rare push for mid-decade redistricting has seen states controlled by both parties taking action, leading to a near-draw thus far. Democrats currently hold six of Virginia's 11 House seats, and the new map would give them an advantage in all but one district.

Republicans have filed lawsuits challenging the referendum's legality. The state Supreme Court allowed the vote to proceed while it weighs those challenges. Most public polls show the Democrats' 'yes' campaign narrowly ahead, with nearly 1.37 million ballots cast in early voting.

Democrats argue that the new map is necessary to counter Texas and other Republican states that have used redistricting to target Democratic seats. Republicans accuse Democrats of hypocrisy, pointing to their previous stances against partisan gerrymandering. Former President Barack Obama has been involved in campaigning for the Democratic redistricting proposal, stating it would give Democrats four additional left-leaning U.S. House seats ahead of the midterms.

The outcome could have significant implications for control of the House in the upcoming midterms. Florida lawmakers are set to begin a special session on April 28 for a Republican attempt at congressional redistricting, while Maryland Democrats rejected an effort to redraw their state's congressional map.

The new map would create a 10-1 advantage for Democrats in Virginia's congressional delegation. The referendum passed with about 51.5% voting yes and 48.6% no. The 'yes' side was up by nearly three percentage points with an estimated 95% of the results in.

The Virginia attorney general’s office announced it would immediately appeal a ruling that ordered the results of Tuesday’s vote not to be certified. A Virginia judge paused the certification of referendum results that would lead to redrawing the state's congressional map, deeming the new map and the bill that triggered it unconstitutional.

The balance of power in the House now stands at 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats, and one independent, who caucuses with Republicans. President Donald Trump claimed without evidence that a Virginia vote clearing the way for the state's congressional map to be redrawn had been 'rigged.' He blamed mail-in ballots for the outcome.

The redistricting war began last year when red states Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina responded to Trump’s call by redrawing their maps. President Trump triggered an unusual round of mid-decade redistricting last year when he urged Texas Republicans to redraw House districts.

The new map could result in a 10-1 advantage for Democrats in Virginia's congressional delegation, up from the current 6-5 edge. Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the Democrat-pushed map a 'power grab' and claimed it is the 'most partisan map in America.' Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares described the Democrats' map as one that 'you draw when you’re drunk with power.'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries replaced Rep. Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader. Jeffries stated, 'We were asking the voters of Virginia to respond in a temporary way to a national crisis that was started by Donald Trump... It was an extraordinary undertaking. But the people of Virginia responded because they understood the assignment, and that's to make sure we have a free and fair midterm election.'

In Ohio, voters are selecting candidates ahead of November’s midterm elections. The state is expected to play a major role in deciding whether Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans maintain control of Congress for the final two years of his term. The race with the highest national profile is Ohio’s Senate special election, where Democrat Sherrod Brown is vying to unseat Republican incumbent Jon Husted.

In Indiana, President Donald Trump is waging a retribution campaign against seven GOP state senators who blocked his push to redraw the state's congressional districts. Trump has endorsed primary challengers for these senators, calling them incompetent and RINOs (Republicans in name only). The outcome of these primaries will signal how much Republicans will pay if they distance themselves from Trump.

In Michigan, a special election for a state Senate seat carries outsized importance as it could affect the balance of power in the Michigan State Capitol. Democrats are showing surprising strength in special elections and off-year contests across the country, which has energized Democrats and spooked Republicans worried about keeping their congressional majorities.

The Ohio primary will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Voters will choose candidates for several key positions, including U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and state supreme court. The special election for one of Ohio’s two U.S. Senate seats and the race to replace Republican Governor Mike DeWine have attracted the most attention due to their ties to national politics.

In Louisiana, Sen. Bill Cassidy is facing primary challenges from Republicans Julia Letlow and John Fleming. Trump endorsed Letlow earlier this year. If no candidate cracks 50% of the primary vote, the top two finishers will face off for the nomination in a June 27 runoff election.

In Georgia’s GOP gubernatorial nomination, Trump has endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is trading fire in a competitive battle with healthcare executive and mega GOP donor Rick Jackson. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.

In Texas, longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn is fighting for his political life as he faces off in a runoff election against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is a MAGA firebrand and major Trump supporter. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in November.