Virginia's redistricting vote happens today. Here's what to know

*A ‘Vote’ sign outside of a polling place. (Photo via Adobe Stock)*

HISTORIC TRIANGLE – Virginians will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in a special election that will decide whether to redraw the state’s congressional districts.

Here’s what voters need to know about the referendum.

Democrats currently hold a 6-5 advantage over Republicans in the state’s congressional districts. If the proposed maps are approved, Democrats could increase that edge to 10-1.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger says the move would counter similar efforts in red states such as Texas or North Carolina.

“Virginians have the opportunity to take action,” Spanberger said on March 5 ahead of early voting. “Voters should know that Virginia’s approach is different. It is temporary [and] directly responsive to what other states decide to do.”

Republican leaders have strongly criticized the proposal, saying it is a constitutional overreach that would create a profound power imbalance.

“This extreme proposal rigs the game before a single vote is cast, weakens trust in our elections and tears down the reforms Virginians enacted to prevent exactly this kind of political manipulation,” Rep. Rob Wittman (R- VA 1) said in a statement.

*The partisan lean of the proposed redrawn districts. (Image courtesy of VPAP)*

What to expect

The ballot referendum asks the following question:

“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General

Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”

If Democrats come away with enough “yes” votes, the proposed new maps will take effect ahead of the congressional midterms in November. Democrats would potentially gain four more seats in the U.S. House.

If the referendum passes, the new maps will be in place for the next several years. The normal redistricting process, under which proposed maps must be approved by an independent commission, would resume after the 2030 census.

If the “no” votes prevail, the current 6-5 congressional maps will remain in place until the regularly scheduled 2030 redistricting.

Historic Triangle voters would be moved into an entirely different district if the amendment is approved. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg would be reshuffled into a newly drawn 8th District.

The 1st District, which is currently represented by Wittman and encompasses the Middle Peninsula, would be shifted northward to include only a small portion of central Virginia, winding up into Northern Virginia.

The 1st District is currently Republican leaning, according to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). The 8th District, which would include those voters, would heavily favor Democrats.

More than 1.3 million people have cast their ballots early, according to the latest figures published by VPAP. Millions of additional voters are expected to turn out on Tuesday.

Where and when to vote

Virginians who did not vote early can cast their ballots at their assigned polling places on April 21.

To find your polling location, visit the Virginia Department of Elections’ Citizen Portal.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those who are in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

A valid form of ID is necessary to cast a ballot. Voters who do not have an ID will need to sign a statement of identity or complete a provisional ballot.

Additional voting information for the listed localities is available at the links below.

James City County

York County

City of Williamsburg

Sample ballots and election details for all Virginia localities are also available on Ballotpedia. An explainer including the full text of the proposed amendment can be viewed on the website for the Virginia Department of Elections.