Voters in Virginia will take to the polls Tuesday casting their decision on a referendum that would temporarily allow the redrawing of congressional districts.
The referendum asks voters to have the say on if the state’s redistricting commission will be temporarily suspended 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.”
Early voting on the issue began March 6 and has been a popular choice locally. Orange County Registrar Donna Harpold said at the close of business Tuesday, 4,186 voters had cast their ballots. In Madison County, 2,092 people have voted early.
The last day to vote early in-person is Saturday, April 18. The Orange County and Madison County Registrar’s Offices are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Polling locations on Tuesday will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Those casting ballots in-person are required to show one form of acceptable identification. Acceptable identification includes a Virginia driver’s license or DMV-issued ID card; a valid employee identification card with a photo issued by the voter’s employer in the ordinary course of business; a U.S. military ID; a valid student ID issued by a public or private high school or institution of higher education located in Virginia; a valid U.S. passport or passport card; a government-issued ID card from a federal, Virginia or local political subdivision; a voter ID card issued by the Department of Election; voter confirmation documents; valid tribal enrollment or tribal ID issued by one of the 11 tribes recognized by Virginia; a nursing home resident ID issued by a government facility; a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck containing the name and address of the voter; any other current government document containing the name and address of the voter; and a signed ID confirmation statement.
For answers to questions, contact the local registrar’s office. The Orange County Voter Registration Office is located at 130 North Madison Road, Orange and can be contacted by phone at (540) 672-5262. The Madison County Registrar’s Office is located at 414 N. Main Street, Madison and can be contacted by phone at (540) 948-6533.
Registered voters can view their polling place and check their voting history online at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/Lookup/polling.
