Virginia NAACP, attorney general condemn mailers targeting Black voters over redistricting referendum

The mailers reportedly compare the referendum to Jim Crow-era policies, which the NAACP and AG call a misleading tactic to discourage Black voters.

Mar. 9, 2026 at 3:36pm

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The NAACP Virginia State Conference and Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones have condemned misleading mailers sent to Black voters about an upcoming redistricting referendum in the state. The mailers, reportedly from a MAGA-aligned political action committee, compare the referendum to Jim Crow-era policies in an apparent attempt to discourage Black voters from supporting the measure. The NAACP and AG have called the mailers a manipulative tactic that disrespects the civil rights movement and the history of voter suppression.

Why it matters

The redistricting referendum is tied to congressional representation, which the NAACP says could affect the political power of Black Virginians. The mailers are seen as an attempt to mislead and deter Black voters from participating in this important electoral process.

The details

The NAACP Virginia State Conference said it supports voting 'yes' on the redistricting referendum, calling it critical to protecting the voting power of Black Virginians. However, the organization condemned mailers sent by a MAGA-aligned political action committee that reportedly compare the referendum to Jim Crow-era policies. The NAACP said the materials are designed to discourage Black voters from supporting the measure.

  • The redistricting referendum is scheduled to take place ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

The players

NAACP Virginia State Conference

A state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a prominent civil rights organization.

Jay Jones

The Attorney General of Virginia, who is the state's first Black Attorney General.

Rev. Dr. Cozy Bailey

The president of the NAACP Virginia State Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We denounce the manipulative mailers sent by a MAGA-aligned political action committee aimed at deterring Black voters from supporting this referendum, which falsely compare this important measure to Jim Crow — a brutal system that stripped Black Americans of their voting rights.”

— NAACP Virginia State Conference

“As Virginia's first Black Attorney General, I take very seriously the history that is being invoked in these mailers. Reports indicate that a group opposing the redistricting referendum has sent materials to Black voters that misuse imagery from the Civil Rights Movement and even invoke Jim Crow while falsely suggesting the measure threatens Black representation.”

— Jay Jones, Attorney General of Virginia

“My parents and grandparents lived through the reality of Jim Crow in Virginia. They experienced firsthand what it meant when the law and the political system were used to silence Black voices. That history is not a political prop, and it should never be exploited in a misleading attempt to confuse voters.”

— Jay Jones, Attorney General of Virginia

What’s next

The redistricting referendum is scheduled to take place ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, which could affect political representation in Virginia.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing efforts to mislead and discourage Black voters from participating in important electoral processes, even by invoking the painful history of voter suppression. It underscores the need for vigilance and transparency in the democratic process to ensure all voices are heard.