Virginia votes Tuesday on congressional redistricting. Here's what voters need to know

Natalie Anderson, The Virginian-Pilot on Apr 20, 2026

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NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia’s special election for a ballot referendum on congressional redistricting is Tuesday. Here’s a rundown of everything voters need to know to cast a ballot.

Virginia voters are asked to choose “yes” or “no” on a redistricting referendum that, if approved, would put a new congressional map in effect for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats currently hold six congressional seats and Republicans have five. Under the proposed maps, 10 congressional districts would favor Democrats and one would favor Republicans.

It’s a hotly contested election with national implications and millions being spent by various groups to campaign on the issue. Democrats frame the issue as a national fight for “fair elections” and to “level the playing field” in response to recent redistricting in other states that’s favorable to Republicans. They see it as a tangible way to “fight back” against a national GOP stronghold.

Republicans have deemed the proposed maps a “power grab” by Richmond politicians that dilutes representations of minorities and rural communities. Their messaging frames the redistricting push as unconstitutional and illegal gerrymandering in a state that previously supported bipartisan redistricting efforts. They have filed numerous lawsuits seeking two block the maps, arguing the state legislature did not follow the proper procedure to get the referendum on the ballot.

What’s on the ballot?

The referendum question reads as follows:

“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”

A “yes” vote gives Democrats the green light to run with the proposed 10-1 map in the 2026 congressional midterm elections. A “no” vote would maintain the current 6-5 congressional makeup that slightly favors Democrats. As written, the referendum would allow for temporary redistricting before resuming Virginia’s standard redistricting process — led by an independent commission — following the 2030 census.

In Hampton Roads, Chesapeake is among the localities that would see significant reshuffling of voters with new boundaries drawn between the 2nd and 3rd districts. The city is split between the two districts. The 3rd District would also gain Poquoson.

The 1st District would become unrecognizable from its current shape. People living in James City County, York County and Williamsburg would be moved into the new 8th District, which would stretch from York to through Spotsylvania County, with a narrow stretch encompassing parts of Northern Virginia, including Alexandria.

Polling locations and hours

Voters on Tuesday will cast ballots in their current assigned polling places, which can be found by visiting https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup/ and inputting their address.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast ballots as long as they are in line by 7 p.m.

Casting a ballot

Voters have to provide an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID confirmation statement to cast a ballot. Some acceptable forms of identification include a Virginia driver’s license, utility bill, U.S. military ID, valid student ID, tribal ID or a U.S. passport.

Though the deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration has passed, voters can still register through Election Day and cast a provisional ballot. Their vote is counted after their registration is approved. Voters can check their registration status at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.

Voters must return absentee ballots to their local registrar’s office or a drop-off location by 7 p.m. Tuesday. If returning by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Tuesday and received by the local registrar’s office by noon Friday.

Problems at the polls

There are several options for filing complaints related to registration or the voting experience.

If a voter meets the requirements to vote but is being denied, they can ask an election official to contact the voter registrar’s office before leaving the polling place. The voter registrar may be able to resolve the problem immediately.

Voters can also call the Department of Elections at 800-552-9745, preferably before the polls close.

The Department of Elections administers a formal grievance process under the Help America Vote Act for voters who believe that their voting rights have been violated. Voters must fill out a complaint form within 10 days of the incident, have it notarized and mail it to the deputy commissioner.

For informal complaints, voters can file an online form for any incident at the polls.

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