Obama films video urging Virginians to vote 'yes' in redistricting referendum

Former President Barack Obama urged Virginian voters to approve a ballot initiative granting state lawmakers the authority to redraw the state's congressional districts to heavily favor Democrats. 

The former Democratic president framed the vote as a way for voters to "level the playing field" after several Republican states redrew their maps mid-decade to gain an advantage in the November midterm elections. 

"By voting yes, you can push back against the Republicans trying to give themselves an unfair advantage in the midterms," Obama said in the video, which was shared with ABC News. "By voting yes, you can take a temporary step to level the playing field. And we're counting on you."

April 21 will be the last day to vote in the statewide referendum. Democrats are seeking voter approval to suspend constitutional requirements for a bipartisan redistricting commission and instead draw their own congressional districts that heavily favor their party. 

The current proposed map would likely result in 10 Democrats and one Republican in the state delegation. Currently, the breakdown is six Democrats and five Republicans.  The GOP has the majority in the House and Senate.