Virginia Lawmakers Urge 'Yes' Vote on Redistricting Amendment

House Speaker Don Scott and Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas call for action to defend democracy against partisan gerrymandering.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A photorealistic painting of a solitary ballot box sitting on a wooden table, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying the gravity and importance of the upcoming vote to protect democratic processes.As partisan gerrymandering threatens fair representation, Virginia's leaders call on voters to stand up for democracy by approving a constitutional amendment to restore impartial redistricting.Hampton Today

In a guest column, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas are urging voters to approve a constitutional amendment on April 21 that would establish a bipartisan redistricting commission to draw electoral maps. They argue this is a necessary step to counter efforts by the Trump administration and MAGA Republicans to manipulate district boundaries for partisan advantage in states like Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Why it matters

The lawmakers say this vote is crucial to protecting fair representation and preventing Virginia from becoming 'complicit in an effort to entrench unchecked power and insulate one political movement from the will of voters.' They note a history of gerrymandering and voter suppression targeting Black communities in the state.

The details

The proposed amendment would create a bipartisan redistricting commission to draw electoral maps after the 2030 census, restoring a more impartial process. Scott and Lucas argue this is a 'temporary, emergency step' needed due to the Trump administration's 'coordinated national strategy' to rig representation through mid-decade redistricting in Republican-led states.

  • Virginians will vote on the amendment on April 21, 2026.
  • The amendment would only be in effect until the 2030 census, after which the state's regular bipartisan redistricting process would resume.

The players

Don Scott

Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.

L. Louise Lucas

President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate.

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What they’re saying

“Voting 'Yes' on April 21 is a measured but necessary step to level the playing field for Virginians and defend fair representation in light of Trump's actions.”

— Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates

“It has not ended there. As president, Trump has undermined voting protections, attacked diversity initiatives and backed policies that disproportionately strip health care and economic opportunity from Black communities.”

— L. Louise Lucas, President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate

What’s next

The amendment will be on the ballot for Virginia voters to decide on April 21, 2026.

The takeaway

This vote is a critical step to protect fair representation and prevent Virginia from being complicit in partisan gerrymandering efforts that undermine democracy, especially in light of the Trump administration's actions to manipulate district boundaries for political gain.