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Virginia Democrats are reportedly preparing to redraw the state’s congressional maps in an effort to combat GOP mid-decade redistricting across the country.
Democratic sources familiar with the discussions told the New York Times that the Virginia General Assembly may soon convene a special session to vote on the proposed redraw. The move could add two or three U.S. House seats for the Democrats as Republicans in several states, including Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, have already advanced redistricting plans to expand their representation.
In response to the GOP-favored redistricting, California has drafted a new map favoring Democrats, which residents are expected to vote on next month. Virginia hadn't been seen as a likely candidate for such changes prior to the reporting.
“We’ve been monitoring Republicans steal seats left and right and put maximalist pressure on states across the country,” John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said in a statement. “So it shouldn’t be surprising that a place like Virginia would take this moment to retain its options for next year.”
The redistricting proposal in Virginia comes just 11 days before the state’s governor, attorney general, and legislative elections. Polls already show Democrats favored to perform well in the blue-leaning state, with some strategists suggesting the redistricting fight could further energize their base.
Republicans condemned the move as an attempt to divert attention from recent controversies involving Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones.
“Virginia Democrats are in full panic mode,” Adam Piper, executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, said. “Instead of calling for Jay Jones to drop out because of his text message scandal and criminal investigation, they’re playing partisan games.”
Redrawing the maps would face procedural challenges due to a 2020 constitutional amendment establishing an independent redistricting commission. The legislature would need to vote twice, once before Election Day 2025 and again in 2026, before sending the proposed maps to voters for final approval.
Democrats currently hold narrow control of both chambers of the General Assembly and are expected to expand their majority in the House of Delegates this November.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said he was still seeking more information about the proposal, calling it part of a broader national trend.
“This would not even be discussed if you weren’t seeing similar actions in Republican-controlled states,” Warner told HuffPost.
It’s not yet clear which GOP-held districts Democrats might target. Both the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and House Majority PAC, which is aligned with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are reportedly involved in planning for the possible special session.
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