Virginia Senate advances redistricting amendment

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Virginia Senate approved a Constitutional amendment on Friday that would allow lawmakers to redraw congressional maps ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

The measure, which was approved on a 21-16 vote, now moves to the 2026 General Assembly session. If approved there, voters would then have the final say on the amendment in a statewide referendum.

Democrats control six of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts and say any potential redistricting would yield them two or three more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington.

“The amendment provides explicit authority for the General Assembly to modify one or more congressional districts, outside of the standard decennial redistricting cycle, in the event that any other state conducts a redist