Virginia Redistricting Primer - Updated 2/23/26

What Is a District  ?

A district is a geographical area regarded as a distinct unit because of a particular characteristic.  Huh?  Staunton is considered a municipal district and acts separately from Augusta County.  Staunton has its own government, tax base, voting boundaries, and, perhaps, some cultural uniqueness.  However, Staunton is also part of larger districts such as House of Delegates District 36, State Senate District 3, the Virginia 6th Congressional District, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the United States of America and, possibly, an Interplanetary District that we don't know about yet 😲 !

What Is Redistricting ?

Per Virginia law, Virginia is required to perform redistricting after the national census is performed every 10 years (the next scheduled census is 2030).  Because of frequent population shifts throughout the country, voting district lines in each state need to be adjusted periodically so that each district has the same number of people and the people in those districts are represented fairly. All of this is very complicated and well beyond the scope of this document.

Why redistrict now - some recent history

Because the MAGA agenda and its horrific actions are so unpopular (and would likely cost them partial or full control of Congress), Donald Trump demanded that Texas redistrict in order to gain more Republican congressional seats in the November 2026 midterm elections.  Texas politicians obliged (FYI, Texas voters did not have a choice) and Texas Republicans created 5 more potential congressional seats.  California did not like the idea that Texas and Trump were cheating, so California voters overwhelmingly voted to redistrict and wiped out the gains that Texas had made.  Thus, California restored a level playing field.  Trump has demanded redistricting in other red states - some are obliging while others have refused.  

Virginia Democrats decided they needed to help restore fairness and a level playing field and this Constitutional Amendment was born.  Our Democratic leaders are fighting back just like the grassroots are demanding.

The Virginia Amendment (like California's Prop 50 Referendum) is designed to be:

• Temporary - it expires in 2030 and Virginia then returns to its previous method non-partisan commission method for the next 10 year redistricting

• Defensive - redistricting only kicks in if other states are redistricting for unfair advantage.  If other states reversed course and stopped their redistricting then we would too.

• Voter Approved - Although a passage of a new amendment requires a public vote, Democrats in Virginia always want the voters to decide congressional elections and not the corrupt politicians who are rigging the vote, suppressing and disenfranchising voters (e.g. the SAVE Act), and steering us towards more authoritarianism.  

Basic Facts Known at This Time

April 21, 2026 Special Election

A Special Election in Virginia to vote on approval of a temporary Virginia Constitutional Amendment that allows Congressional Redistricting until 2030.

Early voting for the April 21 Special Election

Just like any election in Virginia, Early Voting starts 45 days before the election.  This early voting can be in person or by absentee ballot.  For the April 21 Special Election, you can go down to Staunton City Hall (for voters registered in Staunton City) starting March 6 and cast your vote.  Voting by absentee ballot (mail-in ballot) follows the same procedures as we have known in previous elections.

Other important April 21 Special Election dates and information

• Early Voting - March 6 to April 18 (includes 2 Saturdays - April 11 and 18) at Staunton City Hall for Staunton City voters.

• Last day to check/change your registration - April 14

• Last day to register to vote - April 14

• Last day to apply to vote by mail - April 10

• Absentee ballots can be returned:

  • By mail - please review this important mailing information first

  • In person to the Staunton Voter Registrar's Office in City Hall

  • In the Official Drop Box located at the back entrance to City Hall.  The Drop Box will be available 24/7 from March 6 through 7 PM on April 21.

The Primary Election date

Update 2/23/26: The change to the August 4, 2026 Primary date (from June 16) has been approved after passage of HB29 by the General Assembly and Governor Spanberger's signature a couple of days ago.

The June 16, 2026 date has yet not changed on the Virginia Department of elections website nor the local Voter Registrar's website.  It will take a bit of time for the websites to reflect that date change.

What about the maps ?

Update 2/23/26: The new Congressional maps have passed the General Assembly with Gov Spanberger's signaturea few days ago. Proposed maps can be viewed here.

What's on the April 21 ballot ?

There is only one thing to vote on in the April 21 Speacial Election. It is either YES or NO to approve the redistricting amendment.

We need to vote YES

Proposed Constitutional Amendment

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?

What about the lawsuits ?

The lawsuits by Republicans were expected.  They, obviously (and hypocritically), don't want Virginia to have more Democratic Congressional seats to counteract their sheathing efforts in other states because they want to maintain their power at all costs.  The Supreme Court of Virginia has already ruled against Republicans in one lawsuit and another is being appealed as I write this.  They do not want to let the voters decide since Democrats won the November 2025 election a few months ago by a significant margin.

 Next steps for all of us ?

• Sign up for the Staunton Democratic Committee weekly newsletter for updates, news, things to do and to keep up to date

• We must pass this Redistricting Amendment so make a plan to vote early. 

• Check and/or update your voter registration here 

• Get everyone you know to vote YES on April 21 (or in early voting)

• Help us spread the word - redistricting and the reasons for it can be confusing to some voters especially when the Republicans are spewing hypocritical misinformation.  On one hand they are claiming that this is "Unfair" but on the other hand saying that it is fine for Texas to artificially create more Republican seats and throw Democrats out of those seats without even asking voters what they think.

I will try to keep this document updated when we have more information.