[ad_1]
Democrats say the special session would start the process of amending the state constitution to allow new congressional boundaries.
RICHMOND, Va. — Democratic leaders convened in a special session Tuesday to begin a push to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps, saying the move is a response to Republican-led efforts in states including Texas and Missouri to redraw districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
“Actions that Texas and Missouri, and North Carolina have taken have triggered this!” Marcia Price (Newport News-D) said.
“The voice of the people of Virginia matters, not elsewhere!” Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears said.
The gathering opened with sharp questions from the Republican minority about whether the legislature has the authority to move now. Democrats said the session is lawful and said the president pushed them to do this.
“That question is going to be left to the voters- to vote in a referendum whether we will have redistricting or not.” Rodney Willett (Portsmouth-D) said.
Democrats say the special session would start the process of amending the state constitution to allow new congressional boundaries. That process would require passage in this special session and again in next year’s regular session before the proposed amendment could be placed on the ballot for voters to approve, lawmakers said.
Republicans opposed the call, raising legal and procedural objections and urging colleagues to keep Virginia out of a national redistricting scramble.
“To travel down this tortuous path is to transgress long-standing precedent; it is to turn our backs on the Virginia way,” said R Lee Ware (Powhatan- R).
“We are going to do our part to protect democracy and protect Virginians,” Price said.
Democrats countered that the president’s actions elsewhere make it necessary to respond, though they offered few details about specific maps or timelines. Lawmakers did not identify who would draw the proposed maps or when new districts, if approved, would take effect.
As of Tuesday night, there was no plan for a vote the following day. Legislative leaders said more debate and political sparring were expected later this week.
What’s next: If lawmakers approve the measure in both sessions next year, the constitutional amendment would go before voters. Until then, the details of any new map and the timetable for enacting it remain unclear.
[ad_2]