Virginia Advances Temporary Mid-Decade Redistricting

Virginia lawmakers voted to expand a special session to include redistricting, with the Senate approving House Joint Resolution 6006 21–17 and the House later passing the same procedural measure, though the vote does not itself redraw maps. Democrats have proposed a temporary constitutional amendment — limited to specific triggering conditions and set to expire in 2030 — that would allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts mid-decade, but it must pass the legislature twice and win a statewide referendum before it could affect the 2026 midterms. Supporters say the measure is a defensive response to recent Republican mid-cycle remaps in states such as Texas, North Carolina and Missouri; critics, including Attorney General Jason Miyares and GOP lawmakers, call it a partisan power grab and question its legality and timing. A judge rejected a Republican emergency injunction seeking to block consideration of the issue, and amendments condemning threats to legislators failed on the floor, leaving leaders warning of legal uncertainty and potential election disruption. If ultimately approved, new maps could reshape Virginia’s current 6–5 Democratic congressional advantage, but the proposal faces additional legislative hurdles, a required post-election repeat vote and a statewide referendum before taking effect.