Virginia Labor Union, Congressman Urge 'Yes' Vote on Redistricting

SEIU and Rep. Walkinshaw rally support ahead of April 21 referendum

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:19pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring a fractured, overlapping image of a ballot box or voting booth in a patriotic color palette, conveying the turbulent and contested nature of the redistricting referendum.The high-stakes battle over redistricting in Virginia exposes the deep partisan divisions and the fight for political power ahead of the midterm elections.Richmond Today

US Rep. James Walkinshaw of Virginia's 11th congressional district joined the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of Virginia in Vienna on Wednesday to rally in support of Virginia's April 21 redistricting referendum. The 'Yes' campaign is making a push this weekend to rally voters as over 30 early voting locations open on Saturday.

Why it matters

The redistricting referendum, if passed, would allow Virginia Democrats to temporarily redraw the state's congressional districts to gain as many as four seats and offset Republican gerrymandering in other states ahead of this fall's midterm elections. Leaders with SEIU Virginia said congressional maps tilted in favor of Republicans have real consequences for workers' rights.

The details

Walkinshaw said President Donald Trump, whose approval rating is below 40%, knows he's gotten even more unpopular as gas prices rise and the bloody war with Iran costs billions of dollars a day. 'Because he knows he's losing, he's trying to rig the maps,' Walkinshaw said of Trump. The 'No' campaign has waged a misinformation campaign against the referendum, sending out mailers with pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Ku Klux Klan and others that twist the words of referendum supporters like former President Barack Obama and Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

  • The 'Yes' campaign is making a push this weekend to rally voters as over 30 early voting locations open on Saturday.
  • Virginia's redistricting referendum is scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The players

James Walkinshaw

US Representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) of Virginia

A labor union representing over 100,000 workers in Virginia.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States, whose approval rating is below 40%.

Virginians for Fair Elections

The 'Yes' campaign group receiving a $500,000 donation from SEIU Virginia.

LaNoral Thomas

President of SEIU Virginia 512.

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What they’re saying

“Because he knows he's losing, he's trying to rig the maps,”

— James Walkinshaw, US Representative

“We know that workers are under attack every single day. And one thing SEIU is really good at? Un-rigging rules that were built to hold us back.”

— LaNoral Thomas, President of SEIU Virginia 512

“Donald Trump and corrupt MAGA politicians are trying to rig the midterm elections by gerrymandering red states like Texas, North Carolina and Missouri. Virginia voters have the opportunity to respond decisively.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic US House of Representatives Minority Leader

What’s next

This weekend, former Obama administration Attorney General Eric Holder and Democratic US House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York are joining Virginia leaders like US Sen. Mark Warner and US Rep. Jennifer McClellan to rally people to vote 'Yes.'

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle over redistricting and gerrymandering, with both parties seeking to gain an advantage in the upcoming midterm elections. The Virginia referendum represents a key battleground in this fight, with significant implications for the balance of power in Congress.