Story perspectives

Virginia Voters Approve Redistricting Amendment, Trump Gerrymandering Rebuke

4/25/2026

Left

Jeffries Rebukes

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared the amendment a direct rebuke to President Donald Trump’s gerrymandering agenda.
Virginia voters approved an amendment letting the General Assembly redraw congressional districts, 51.5% to 48.5% with 95% of ballots counted.
Former President Barack Obama posted vote protects democracy from attempts to tilt seats toward Republicans.
The Republican National Committee sued, and a state judge blocked the amendment’s implementation pending review.

Right

Trump Claims Rigging

U.S. President Donald Trump alleged the Virginia redistricting referendum was rigged by a massive mail-in ballot drop.
Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment letting the General Assembly redraw congressional districts, 51.5% yes, 48.5% no.
$70 million spent by Democratic groups outspent Republicans more than two to one.
Representative Jen Kiggans and Governor Glenn Youngkin called amendment unconstitutional and contest it in court.

History

Historical Context

In 1962 the Supreme Court’s Baker v. Carr decision, written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, required state legislative districts to have equal populations, ending malapportionment such as Nevada Senate districts ranging from 568 to about 127,000 residents. Two years later Reynolds v. Sims extended “one-person-one-vote” to all state legislatures, compelling Virginia’s General Assembly to redraw maps—a foundation for the 2023 amendment debate on partisan gerrymandering.

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Jeffries Rebukes

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared the amendment a direct rebuke to President Donald Trump’s gerrymandering agenda.
Virginia voters approved an amendment letting the General Assembly redraw congressional districts, 51.5% to 48.5% with 95% of ballots counted.
Former President Barack Obama posted vote protects democracy from attempts to tilt seats toward Republicans.
The Republican National Committee sued, and a state judge blocked the amendment’s implementation pending review.

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