Virginia Democrats Pass Redistricting Map Aimed at Flipping 4 House Seats

The new map faces legal challenges and a voter referendum before taking effect.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Virginia Democrats have passed a new congressional redistricting map through the state legislature that they believe could help their party win four more U.S. House seats. However, the map faces legal hurdles and a potential voter referendum before it can be implemented for the 2024 midterm elections.

Why it matters

Redistricting battles are playing out across the country as both parties seek to gain an advantage in the next round of congressional elections. Virginia's new map is seen as a response to efforts by former President Trump to push Republican-led states to redraw districts in the GOP's favor.

The details

The new map passed by Virginia Democrats would redraw district boundaries in a way that could flip four House seats from Republican to Democratic control. However, a judge has blocked a planned voter referendum on the map, and Republicans have criticized the plan as an attempt by liberals in northern Virginia to dominate the rest of the state.

  • On February 20, 2026, Virginia Democrats passed the new congressional redistricting map through the state legislature.
  • On April 21, 2026, a voter referendum on the new map was set to take place, but a judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the referendum.
  • The state's Supreme Court is currently considering an appeal by Democrats of the judge's earlier ruling that they illegally rushed the planned referendum.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic governor of Virginia who has indicated she would support the new redistricting map if the voter referendum is approved.

Scott Surovell

The Democratic Senate Majority Leader in Virginia who has portrayed the redistricting push as a response to former President Trump's efforts to help the GOP gain an advantage.

Terry Kilgore

The Republican House Minority Leader in Virginia who has criticized the new map as an attempt by liberals in northern Virginia to dominate the rest of the state.

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What they’re saying

“The president of the United States, who apparently only one half of this chamber knows how to stand up to, basically directed states to grab power. To basically maintain his power indefinitely — to rig the game, rig the system.”

— Scott Surovell, Democratic Senate Majority Leader (wbal.com)

“In southwest Virginia, we have this saying … They say, 'Terry, you do a good job up there, but you know, Virginia stops at Roanoke.' That's not going to be the same saying anymore, because Virginia is now going to stop just a little bit west of Prince William County.”

— Terry Kilgore, Republican House Minority Leader (wbal.com)

What’s next

The state's Supreme Court is currently considering an appeal by Democrats of the judge's earlier ruling that they illegally rushed the planned voter referendum on the new congressional map.

The takeaway

The battle over redistricting in Virginia is part of a broader national fight between the two parties to gain an advantage in the next round of congressional elections. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.