While Virginia voters overall supported the temporary redrawing of congressional districts, Madison and Orange county voters overwhelmingly did not.
On Tuesday, voters selected “yes” or “no” on a constitutional amendment that would temporarily suspend the state’s redistricting commission to allow for the redrawing of congressional districts before elections this November. The commission would resume its responsibility for drawing congressional maps following the 2030 Census.
Typically, congressional districts are redrawn once per decade, but President Donald Trump started a series of redistricting efforts when he encouraged Texas Republicans to create a new map to assist the party. The current Virginia maps went into effect in 2022 and were court-drawn.
The maps drawn by the Democrat-led legislature favor the party 10-1, with five districts that begin in northern Virginia and extend into rural areas. According to a map created by the Virginia Public Access Project, the proposed map would create a new 7th District, one that resembles a lobster crossing the state, encompassing parts of northern and central Virginia with a long tail beginning in Arlington and two claws reaching into rural communities.
Those in favor of the proposed maps are asked to vote “yes” in the referendum; those opposed “no.”
According to unofficial results, Virginians chose “yes” in a tight race, 1,575,367 votes (51.45%) to 1,486,451 votes (48.55%). Despite the statewide results, rural counties selected “no.” In Madison County, 4,357 voters (70.24%) chose “no” while 1,846 (29.76%) chose “yes.” In Orange County, 10,389 (64.14%) chose “no” while 5,809 (35.86%) chose “yes.”
It remains to be seen what will happen with redistricting in Virginia. Several legal battles have been waged over the issue. On Wednesday, a Tazewell Circuit Court Judge declared that the results of Tuesday’s election cannot be certified and legislators cannot take any action to implement a new map. Attorney General Jay Jones is planning to appeal the decision.
