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Virginia approves redistricting, giving Democrats edge in midterms

Virginia approves redistricting, giving Democrats edge in midterms

The new maps in Virginia could make it easier for Democrats to take control of the US House of Representatives in November.

April 22, 2026 at 02:24 AM Original source
23 agencies covered this story

Coverage by Political Leaning

See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story

Left
8 articles
Lean Left
9 articles
Center
5 articles
Lean Right
0 articles
No coverage
Right
1 articles

Notable Quotes

"Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms."

— Don Scott , Politician

"If House Democrats win a majority in the midterm elections, it's going to be a disaster."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"I don't know if you know what gerrymandering is, but it's not good."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms."

— Don Scott , Politician

"VIRGINIA, VOTE ‘NO’ TO SAVE YOUR COUNTRY!"

— Donald Trump , Politician

"It's important for the entire country in a video encouraging voters to get out and push back on Republicans trying to give themselves an unfair advantage in the midterms."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"The move would stop Donald Trump’s MAGA power grab."

— Hakeem Jeffries , Politician

"It's a blatant partisan power grab that nobody's really ever seen anything like it."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"A vote to approve the redraw will serve as a check and balance on this out-of-control Trump administration."

— Hakeem Jeffries , Politician

"The redistricting plan is dishonest and brazenly deceptive."

— Glenn Youngkin , Politician

"If they would have done a more measured map, they would have blown this thing out."

— Zack Roday , Politician

"Your job is to contingency-plan on all of these pieces. And I think they fully knew what could happen."

— Zack Roday , Politician

"a worthy gamble."

— Zack Roday , Politician

"That is why Democrats relied on rigging the ballot question in order to win."

— Mike Johnson , Politician

"Just so you get the truth and not the partisan spin here, Republicans came up with the idea of the mid-decade redistricting fight and started in Texas."

— Erick Erickson , Influencer

"This close margin reinforces that Virginia is a purple state that shouldn’t be represented by a severe partisan gerrymander."

— Richard Hudson , Politician

"Many people like myself supported and continue to support a bipartisan redistricting commission, but recognize that at this moment in time, the need to take a responsive posture toward what we’re seeing from the Trump administration and the state legislatures, not people, legislatures that are willing to oblige him."

— Abigail Spanberger , Politician

"Tonight, I think Virginia voters stood up to stand for democracy in America, to say that Virginia deserves a voice at the table, and that democracy is important, and that it’s important that there be a check and balance in Congress against President Trump and unlimited power."

— Scott Surovell , Politician

"Congratulations, Virginia! Republicans are trying to tilt the midterm elections in their favor, but they haven’t done it yet. Thanks for showing us what it looks like to stand up for our democracy and fight back."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"No amount of money is going to let Virginians ignore what they saw when those maps were published."

— Mike Young , Activist

"We’re giving Virginians a chance to vote — which Republican states have not done — about whether they want to have a congressional delegation that will stand up against Donald Trump’s tyranny if he tries to interfere with our elections."

— Tim Kaine , Politician

"If Florida Republicans proceed with this illegal scheme, they will only create more prime pick-up opportunities for Democrats ... Maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time."

— Hakeem Jeffries , Politician

"Democrats were already favoured to win control of the House of Representatives, and this makes it even likelier that they do that this November."

— Kyle Kondik , Academic

"Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms."

— Don Scott , Politician

"We didn’t start this fight, but I’m saying to Virginia, we need to finish it."

— Delores McQuinn , Politician

"Using Virginia’s to vote yes on the proposed map."

— Barack Obama , Politician

"The whole country is watching it’s so important and so unfair what they’ve done."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms."

— Don Scott , Politician

"I understand the urgency of winning congressional seats as a check on this President."

— Abigail Spanberger , Politician

"As we saw in California, when voters have a say, they are rejecting Republicans' attempt to rig the system."

— Suzan DelBene , Politician

"Serious legal questions remain about both the wording of this referendum and the process used to put it before voters."

— Terry Kilgore , Politician

"The close margin reinforces that Virginia is a purple state that shouldn't be represented by a severe partisan gerrymander."

— Richard Hudson , Politician

"The midterm gerrymandering war and the Iran war alike show Trump’s inability to imagine that the people he’s picking fights with have any agency, any ability to respond."

— Jacob Levy , Academic

"This all started with President Trump getting nervous about the midterms and deciding he wanted to have a bit of an edge."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"Unfortunately, we’ve been pushed into the position where two wrongs will make a right."

— Donald Trump , Politician

"If you took Madison and Milwaukee out of the state election formula, we would have a clear majority—we would have all five constitutional officers and we would probably have many more seats in the Legislature."

— Robin Vos , Politician

"Virginia voters approved a congressional redistricting plan that could help Democrats win up to four additional U.S. House seats in this year's midterm elections."

— Hakeem Jeffries , Politician

Key People

A
Abigail SpanbergerPoliticianLeft

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger became Virginia’s first female governor and has served three terms in the U.S. House.

B
Barack ObamaPoliticianLeft

Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States.

C
Charlie KirkActivistRight

Charlie Kirk is a conservative activist whose assassination raised political violence concerns.

D
Delores McQuinnPoliticianLeft

Delores McQuinn is a Democratic member of the House of Delegates in Virginia.

D
Donald TrumpPoliticianRight

Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.

D
Don ScottPoliticianLeft

Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.

E
Erick EricksonInfluencerRight

Conservative influencer and commentator.

G
Gavin NewsomPoliticianLean Left

Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California.

G
Glenn YoungkinPoliticianRight

Former Governor of Virginia.

H
Hakeem JeffriesPoliticianLeft

House minority leader who paid tribute to David Scott.

J
Jacob LevyAcademicCenter

Political scientist known for his work on governance and political theory.

K
Katherine ClarkPoliticianLeft

Katherine Clark is the House Democratic Whip from Massachusetts.

K
Kyle KondikAcademic

Managing editor at Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

M
Mike JohnsonPoliticianRight

Mike Johnson is the Speaker of the House from Louisiana.

M
Mike YoungActivistRight

Mike Young is the campaign manager for Virginians for Fair Maps.

R
Richard HudsonPoliticianRight

Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

R
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.ActivistLean Right

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an American environmental attorney and activist.

R
Robin VosPoliticianRight

Republican speaker of the state assembly in Wisconsin.

R
Ron DeSantisPoliticianRight

Ron DeSantis is the Governor of Florida.

S
Scott SurovellPoliticianLeft

Virginia Senate Majority Leader who praised voters for supporting the amendment.

S
Suzan DelBenePoliticianLeft

Suzan DelBene chairs House Democrats’ campaign arm.

T
Terry KilgorePoliticianRight

Virginia House Republican Minority Leader.

T
Tim KainePoliticianLeft

Tim Kaine is a U.S. Senator from Virginia.

Z
Zack RodayPoliticianRight

A Richmond-based Republican campaign strategist.

All Coverage

Virginia approves redistricting, giving Democrats edge in midterms
BBC Newsvia rss 3 quotes 2 persons

The new maps in Virginia could make it easier for Democrats to take control of the US House of Representatives in November.

100%
Axiosvia ai

Democrats scored a major victory in the nationwide redistricting battle by successfully pushing forward a revised congressional map in Virginia, a politically competitive state. Voters narrowly approved the new plan, which is expected to reshape four Republican-held districts into more Democratic-friendly territory, potentially retiring those GOP incumbents in the upcoming election.

80%
The Washington Postvia ai

Virginia voters are deciding on a mid-decade redistricting plan that could help Democrats gain four more U.S. House seats, following Trump’s push for GOP-led states to redraw early. The vote represents a stunning reversal: six years ago, Virginians approved constitutional measures to strip lawmakers of redistricting power and curtail partisan advantage.

80%
Virginia voters deciding on redistricting plan that could boost Democrats’ seats in Congress
Los Angeles Timesvia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

Virginia voters are deciding on a mid-decade redistricting plan that could help Democrats gain four more U.S. House seats, following Trump’s push for GOP-led states to redraw early. The vote represents a stunning reversal: six years ago, Virginians approved constitutional measures to strip lawmakers of redistricting power and curtail partisan advantage.

80%
Axiosvia ai

Virginia voters narrowly approved a redistricting measure, enabling the state to redraw its congressional map ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, potentially benefiting Democrats by restructuring key regions.

80%
A New Front in an Old Gerrymandering War
The Atlanticvia ai 3 quotes 1 person

The article discusses the evolving political battle over gerrymandering in the United States, highlighting Democratic victories in California and Virginia that could net Democrats up to nine additional House seats.

80%
Raging Republican Blame Game Breaks Out After Stinging Trump Defeat
Daily Beastvia ai 3 quotes 3 persons

Republicans are in disarray following a significant defeat in Virginia’s redistricting battle, which could hand Democrats a four-seat advantage in the U.S. House, shifting the state’s delegation from a 6-5 split to 10-1 in favor of Democrats.

80%
Axiosvia ai

Virginia's 2026 redistricting referendum is proving confusing for many voters due to a complex and contentious political landscape, marked by lawsuits, contradictory messaging, and a deluge of dark money.

80%
National Review (opinion)via ai 2 quotes 2 persons

Virginia voters approved a measure that will allow lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional lines to make ten of the state’s eleven districts more favorable for Democrats, potentially allowing Democrats to pick up as many as four seats in the upcoming midterm elections.

80%
Virginia redistricting election results: Key takeaways from Democrats’ win
Al Jazeeravia ai 2 quotes 2 persons

Virginia voters have narrowly approved a referendum to redraw the state’s congressional map, with about 51.5 percent voting yes and 48.6 percent voting no, and 97 percent of ballots counted, according to The Associated Press news agency.

80%
Live Results: Virginia approves redistricting plan in special election
PBS Newsvia ai 5 quotes 5 persons

Virginia voters approved a mid-decade redistricting plan Tuesday that could boost Democrats' chances of winning four additional U.S. House seats in November's midterm elections that will decide control of the closely divided Congress.

80%
Virginians projected to approve Democrats’ redistricting push ahead of midterms
VADogwoodvia ai

State Navigate projected that Virginians have approved a constitutional amendment to allow Democrats to redraw the state’s congressional districts as part of a national effort to push back on Republican partisan gerrymandering in other states.

80%
In redistricting fight, Democrats did what Republicans didn’t expect: Fight back (and win)
MSNBCvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Last year, Donald Trump and his allies launched a partisan redistricting arms race. They apparently weren’t prepared for the Democratic response, as Virginia passes congressional redistricting to benefit Democrats.

80%
Virginia Democrats got a redistricting win Now comes the hard part.
MSNBCvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Virginia Democrats took a risk, and they won. But this was the easy part. The article discusses the complexities of the redistricting battle and the challenges Democrats may face moving forward.

80%
Axiosvia ai

A report on how former President Trump's push for mid-decade redistricting has backfired, with Virginia's new map potentially shifting the state's delegation from a 6-5 split to 10-1 in favor of Democrats.

80%
Democrats win in Virginia but it won't be the final say in a national redistricting competition
Associated Pressvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Coverage of Virginia's approval of a new congressional map that could boost Democrats by four seats, amidst ongoing legal challenges and a broader national redistricting battle initiated by Trump.

80%
Trump Humiliated as Midterm Election Plot Backfires With Voters
Daily Beastvia ai 4 quotes 3 persons

In a significant political development, Virginia voters narrowly approved a redistricting referendum with 51.2% voting 'yes,' initiating a mid-decade overhaul of the state's congressional maps. This move, spearheaded by Democrats, is projected to potentially flip four additional congressional seats in their favor, shifting the balance from the current 6-5 split to a dominant 10-1 majority.

80%
After Virginians vote for new congressional map, Democrats and Republicans could be at a redistricting draw: ANALYSIS
ABC Newsvia ai 1 quote 1 person

The success of a redistricting ballot initiative in Virginia that will result in a new congressional map there likely favoring Democrats is the latest volley in an ongoing mid-decade redistricting battle between the two parties.

80%
Virginia voters approve Democrats’ redistricting plan amid nationwide battle over gerrymandering
WTOP Newsvia ai 3 quotes 3 persons

Virginians have approved an amendment to allow mid-decade redistricting, clearing a major hurdle for Democrats hoping to redraw the state’s congressional maps to gain seats in the U.S. House during the midterms.

80%
How New Virginia Map Impacts Midterms: Democrats Chances of Flipping House
Newsweekvia ai 3 quotes 3 persons

Voters on Tuesday approved a new map that gives Democrats an advantage for more House seats, just over six months ahead of the midterm elections, potentially allowing Democrats to gain as many as four seats, improving their chances of reclaiming a majority in the House.

80%
NPRvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Voters in Virginia are weighing in on the ongoing redistricting battle between Democrats and Republicans, with a ballot measure that would lead to a new congressional map potentially providing Democrats a big boost ahead of midterms.

80%
Virginia voters approve redistricting plan that could boost Democrats' seats in Congress
Associated Pressvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Virginia voters narrowly approved a mid-decade redistricting plan, potentially boosting Democrats' chances of securing up to four additional U.S. House seats in the upcoming midterm elections, which could influence the balance of power in the closely divided Congress.

80%
The Virginia Gerrymander Disenfranchises Republicans
The Atlanticvia ai 1 quote 1 person

An analysis of Virginia's new congressional map, which reduces Republican-leaning districts from five to one, highlighting concerns about partisan gerrymandering and its impact on democratic representation.

80%