Virginia Voters Approve Congressional Redistricting Measure

Virginia voters have approved a measure allowing state lawmakers to redraw congressional district maps. The vote margin was 51% in favor to 49% opposed. This change is expected to add four congressional seats likely to be won by Democrats.

The measure bypasses Virginia's bipartisan redistricting commission.

Virginia currently has 6 Democratic and 5 Republican representatives in the U.S. House.

Statements on the Vote

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries commented on the measure's passage.

Jeffries stated that the measure ensures "a free and fair midterm election."

He characterized former President Donald Trump's redistricting efforts in other states as an attempt to "rig the midterm elections" and said Virginia's vote "thwarted" that effort.

Jeffries attributed Democratic electoral successes to campaign promises about lowering living costs, fixing healthcare, immigration enforcement, and Middle East policy.

Related Political Context

The vote occurs amid other significant developments in Washington:

• The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for two months.
• Jeffries noted that a bipartisan Senate bill to reopen DHS has not been brought to a House vote.
• Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the department will run out of money by May if not reopened.

In a separate matter, three members of Congress have recently resigned following controversies and threats of expulsion. Jeffries called for members of Congress to be held to "the highest ethical standards" and for criminal investigations where appropriate.