Virginia House Passes Redistricting Bill

Referendum planned for 2026 ballot to redraw state's electoral maps

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Virginia House of Delegates has approved a bill that would put a referendum on the 2026 ballot to redraw the state's electoral maps. The move comes as Democrats in Richmond work to reshape Virginia's political boundaries ahead of the next round of redistricting.

Why it matters

Redistricting can have a major impact on the balance of power in state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. The outcome of the proposed referendum could shift the political landscape in Virginia for years to come.

The details

The bill passed the Virginia House along party lines, with Democrats supporting the measure and Republicans opposing it. If approved by voters, the referendum would create a bipartisan commission to redraw the state's electoral maps following the 2030 census.

  • The Virginia House of Delegates passed the redistricting bill on January 27, 2026.
  • The referendum on the new redistricting process is planned for the 2026 general election ballot.

The players

Virginia House of Delegates

The lower chamber of the Virginia General Assembly, which has approved a bill to put a redistricting referendum on the 2026 ballot.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The redistricting bill now heads to the Virginia Senate, where it will need to pass before the referendum can be placed on the 2026 ballot.

The takeaway

The proposed redistricting referendum in Virginia highlights the ongoing partisan battles over electoral maps, which can have significant implications for the balance of political power in the state.