Voters in Virginia will decide on a redistricting change that could shift the US House balance

VIRGINIA, USA — Virginia voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether they support a measure that would change the state’s congressional districts. The results could potentially shift the balance of the U.S. House. 

The proposal would allow Virginia to redraw congressional boundaries roughly five years before the typical once-a-decade redistricting process, which is tied to the U.S. Census. 

Supporters say the amendment is necessary to counter similar redistricting efforts in Republican-led states after former President Donald Trump pressed GOP-controlled legislatures to redraw maps to protect the party’s narrow House majority. The measure has been billed as a temporary step to preserve fairness in congressional representation.

The proposed constitutional amendment is the only statewide contest on the ballot.

It reads: “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?”

A “YES” vote would allow lawmakers to redraw districts ahead of schedule.

A “NO” vote would keep the current map in place until 2031.

If approved, the new map would favor Democrats in 10 of the Virginia’s 11 congressional districts, compared with the current 6-5 Democratic advantage.

Opponents say the proposal undermines the bipartisan process Virginia adopted to reduce partisan gerrymandering. They argue the current system, which redraws districts once every 10 years, was designed to keep politics out of the process.

The referendum comes as both parties pursue redistricting efforts across the country, with Republican-led states such as Texas, Missouri and North Carolina advancing new maps while Democratic-led states seek similar changes.

As of Monday, about 1.4 million ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election. 

Results will begin to come in after polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern. 

The Associated Press, WVEC and WUSA contributed to this report. This story is developing and may be updated.