Early Voting Begins in Virginia's Redistricting Election

Vote could determine control of the House in 2026 midterms

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Voters in Virginia are heading to the polls for a statewide election on April 21 to vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow the Democratic-controlled legislature to redraw the state's congressional map. This could make four GOP-held congressional districts favor Democrats, which could be decisive for control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections.

Why it matters

The razor-thin margins in the House mean that flipping even a few seats in Virginia could be enough for Democrats to regain control of the chamber. Republicans have decried the plan as a political power grab, while Democrats argue it's necessary to counter GOP-led redistricting in other states.

The details

The proposed Democratic map has already passed the Virginia legislature and been signed by the governor. It gets implemented if voters approve the amendment on April 21, even though the map itself is not directly on the ballot. Virginia's Supreme Court has twice ordered the election to proceed despite legal challenges to how the amendment was passed.

  • Early voting begins on Friday, March 7, 2026.
  • The statewide election on the constitutional amendment is set for April 21, 2026.

The players

Virginia Legislature

The Democratic-controlled Virginia legislature passed the proposed congressional map that would make four GOP-held districts favor Democrats.

Rep. Ben Cline

A Virginia Republican whose congressional seat is among those targeted by the proposed Democratic map.

Barack Obama

The former president released a video promoting a yes vote on the amendment, claiming Republicans pursued mid-decade redistricting "to give themselves an unfair advantage in the midterms this fall."

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What they’re saying

“The Democrats' plan to steal Congressional seats and disenfranchise Virginians is unconstitutional, but we're going to have to defeat it at the ballot box on April 21.”

— Rep. Ben Cline (X)

“This amendment gives you the power to level the playing field in the midterms this fall.”

— Barack Obama (video)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the election to proceed.

The takeaway

This election highlights the high stakes of redistricting and the ongoing partisan battles over drawing congressional maps, which could have major implications for control of Congress in the 2026 midterms.