Richmond, Virginia — Virginia Democrats announced Thursday they have agreed on a proposed congressional map that would create 10 Democrat-leaning seats and just one Republican-leaning seat, a sharp shift from the state’s current 6–5 partisan split. Party leaders said the plan has secured enough support in both legislative chambers to move forward, though it still faces legal hurdles and a required statewide referendum.
The agreement follows earlier Democratic discussions around a 9–2 map, but Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas said lawmakers ultimately coalesced around a more aggressive 10–1 configuration. In a social media post, Lucas said the map cleared the 21-vote threshold in the state Senate, with House Speaker Don Scott confirming agreement between the two chambers. The official map is expected to be released Friday.
Under Virginia law, the plan must be approved by voters in an April referendum because the state currently uses a constitutionally mandated independent redistricting commission. Democrats are seeking to amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to redraw the lines in time for the 2026 midterm elections. A state circuit judge recently ruled that the amendment process was improperly advanced, prompting an appeal that could reach the Virginia Supreme Court.
Supporters argue the proposal reflects Virginia’s recent voting patterns, noting that Democratic candidates have carried statewide races in recent cycles. Critics say the effort represents an attempt to bypass the independent commission and enact a partisan gerrymander. Similar redistricting battles are unfolding nationwide as both parties maneuver ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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