Virginia state Senate passes constitutional amendment for redistricting

The Virginia state Senate on Friday passed a constitutional amendment to allow the commonwealth's congressional maps to be redrawn.

The amendment passed the Democrat-led Senate in a 21-16 vote, allowing Virginia to redistrict mid-decade if another state redraws their congressional maps before the end of the decade, The Hill news outlet reported.

The constitutional amendment was passed Wednesday in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Virginia lawmakers and voters just approved a constitutional amendment that created an independent redistricting commission five years ago.

To amend Virginia's Constitution, both legislative chambers must approve a measure twice, with a general state House election occurring between the two approvals. Democrats could vote again on a proposed amendment at the next scheduled session in January and send it to the voters, without needing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin's (R) approval.

The amendment was passed as the GOP-led states of Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio have already redrawn their congressional maps in an effort to give Republicans more seats in the 2026 midterm elections.

In California, voters are going to the polls on Tuesday to decide on redrawing congressional maps.