Virginia Democrats Pass Redistricting Map That Could Flip 4 House Seats

The new map faces legal challenges, but could give Democrats an edge in the midterm elections.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 4:23pm

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Virginia Democrats have passed a new congressional map through the state legislature that aims to help their party win four more U.S. House seats. However, the map faces legal hurdles, including a judge's temporary restraining order blocking a planned voter referendum on the redrawn districts. If the map is approved, it could significantly impact the balance of power in the House in this year's midterm elections.

Why it matters

The redistricting battle in Virginia is part of a broader national fight over the redrawing of congressional district boundaries, with both parties seeking to gain political advantage. The outcome in Virginia could have major implications for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The details

The new map passed by Virginia Democrats would redraw district boundaries in a way that is expected to flip four House seats from Republican to Democratic control. However, a judge has blocked a planned voter referendum on the new map, and the state's Supreme Court is now considering an appeal by Democrats. If the map is ultimately approved, it could help Democrats offset Republican gains in other states like Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio.

  • On February 20, 2026, Virginia Democrats passed the new congressional map through the state legislature.
  • On April 21, 2026, a voter referendum on the new map was scheduled to take place, but a judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking it.
  • In February 2026, Virginia's Democratic Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell criticized former President Trump's role in pushing Republican-led redistricting efforts nationwide.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic governor of Virginia who has indicated she would support the referendum on the new congressional map.

Scott Surovell

The Democratic Senate Majority Leader in Virginia who criticized former President Trump's role in nationwide redistricting efforts.

Terry Kilgore

The Republican House Minority Leader in Virginia who described the new map as a way for liberals in northern Virginia to commandeer 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

“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

What’s next

The Virginia Supreme Court is considering an appeal by Democrats of the judge's ruling that blocked the planned voter referendum on the new congressional map.

The takeaway

The redistricting battle in Virginia is part of a broader national fight over the redrawing of congressional district boundaries, with both parties seeking to gain political advantage. The outcome in Virginia could have major implications for control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections.