Virginia Democrats Pass Redistricting Map Aimed at Flipping 4 House Seats

The proposed map faces legal challenges and a voter referendum before it can take effect.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

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 hurdles, including a judge's order blocking a planned voter referendum and Republican opposition to the redrawn districts.

Why it matters

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

The details

The new map, if approved, would redraw district boundaries in a way that Democrats believe would make it easier for their party to win four additional House seats. However, a judge has temporarily blocked a planned voter referendum on the map, and Republicans have criticized the proposed districts as gerrymandering. Democrats are appealing the judge's ruling, and the state's Supreme Court has taken up the party's appeal of an earlier ruling that the Democrats illegally rushed the referendum process.

  • The judge's order prohibits officials from preparing for the referendum through March 18.
  • Early voting for the referendum was slated to start on March 6, meaning Democrats would have to get a favorable court ruling within two weeks to stick with that timeline.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

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

Terry Kilgore

The Republican House Minority Leader in Virginia, who has criticized the proposed map as a way for liberals in northern Virginia to commandeer the rest of the state.

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 have states redraw districts to help the Republican Party.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 (dnyuz.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 (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

The Virginia Supreme Court is set to consider the Democrats' appeal of the judge's earlier ruling that the party illegally rushed the planned voter referendum on the new congressional map.

The takeaway

The redistricting battle in Virginia is a high-stakes political fight, with both parties seeking to gain an advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress, and the case highlights the ongoing national debate over gerrymandering and the redrawing of district boundaries.