Virginia Democrats released a new congressional map and companion legislation designed to boost their chances of gaining about four House seats in the 2026 midterms. Party leaders say the proposal is a response to efforts by Republicans, including President Trump, to pursue mid-decade redistricting that would advantage their party.
Under the current configuration, Virginia’s U.S. House delegation is split six Democrats and five Republicans. The Democrats’ plan was posted on the legislature’s website and confirmed by Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, who said the effort aims to ‘‘level the playing field’’ amid what she described as moves to tilt the midterms.
For the map to take effect for the 2026 election cycle, two steps are required: approval by the General Assembly and voter approval of a temporary constitutional amendment in a special election set by lawmakers for April 21. Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, has not yet signed the writ calling the special election; she must do so by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 11. Currently, redistricting authority rests with a bipartisan commission; the proposed amendment would temporarily allow the General Assembly to adopt new congressional districts for upcoming elections and then restore the commission-based process after the 2030 census.
The proposal faces legal and political obstacles. A circuit court judge in southwestern Virginia recently ruled that Democrats failed to meet legal requirements in the amendment’s adoption process. Democrats have appealed and accused Republicans of ‘‘court shopping,’’ and the Virginia Court of Appeals has asked the state Supreme Court to take up the matter. Republican lawmakers counter that the constitutional change is unjustified and warn against making changes that could appear permanent.
Virginia is part of a larger national struggle over mid-decade map changes. In 2025, Texas Republicans redrew congressional districts in a way that could net them as many as five seats. California Democrats later approved new maps in a special election that may flip several seats. Other states, including Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina, have adjusted maps to benefit Republicans, and Florida is preparing to redraw maps in April. Maryland Democrats are debating a map intended to flip that state’s lone GOP-held seat. Overall, Republicans have so far picked up more seats through mid-decade changes, aided by control of more state legislatures.
If the amendment reaches ballots, voters would be asked whether the constitution should be changed to let the General Assembly temporarily adopt new congressional districts to ‘‘restore fairness’’ for upcoming elections, with that authority ending after the 2030 census.
Jahd Khalil covers Virginia politics for VPM News.