The statewide referendum asks voters to decide on a constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to adopt a new,  temporary congressional redistricting map through Oct. 31, 2030. A "yes" vote supports a map passed by the General Assembly that could shift the partisan makeup of Virginia’s U.S. House delegation for the next three election cycles; a "no" vote keeps current maps in place. 

The proposal came in reaction to GOP efforts in Texas and other red states to undertake mid-decade redistricting to try to keep the Republican slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives after this November’s mid-term elections.

Since Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed House Bill 29 on Feb. 20, the new congressional maps have been approved. Once the election results are certified and if the majority of voters cast ballots checked ‘Yes,” the new boundaries in HB 29 take effect automatically. Candidates for the U.S. House in Virginia have already been campaigning as if the new districts are in place. 

Opposing signs stand in neighboring front yards in Fairfax County as early voting continues for the April 21 special election.