US EditionVirginia House Democrats advance four constitutional amendments on opening day of 2026 session
Democrats propose four amendments including abortion rights and felony voting restoration, with redistricting aimed to counter GOP gerrymanders, pending Senate approval and voter referendum.
- On Wednesday, Virginia House Democrats advanced four proposed constitutional amendments at the Capitol in Richmond after House Privileges and Elections Committee approval, now moving them to the Democratic-controlled State Senate.
- Framing the move as urgent, Democrats argued recent court rulings and partisan redistricting battles require voters, not politicians, to decide fundamental rights amid President Donald Trump and Republican-led state legislatures' actions.
- House Joint Resolution 4 would create a narrow, temporary mid-decade exception letting the General Assembly redraw congressional districts but not state legislative lines, and it does not eliminate the Virginia Redistricting Commission.
- If approved by the Senate this session, the measures would be placed on a special statewide ballot and Democratic leaders have discussed maps yielding as many as 10 Democratic-leaning districts.
- The reproductive-rights amendment, advanced last year, remains the most divisive with every Republican lawmaker opposing it, while Virginia is the only Southern state without extensive abortion restrictions and voters hold final approval.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Democrats launch campaign for Virginia voters to join redistricting fight
Democrats launched a campaign Thursday aimed at persuading Virginia voters to back a plan to redraw the state’s congressional map in their favor, the latest salvo in a nationwide battle over redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. Virginians for Fair Elections, a Democratic-aligned nonprofit, kicked off its public-facing efforts. The organization will urge voters in Virginia to vote “yes” on a proposed redistricting amendment to the state …
Democrats advance Virginia redistricting measure aimed at countering GOP gerrymanders
Virginia Democrats moved one step closer to redrawing the state’s congressional map after a key House committee approved a proposed constitutional amendment allowing for redistricting, in response to nationwide GOP gerrymanders.
Virginia House Democrats advance four constitutional amendments on opening day of 2026 session • Virginia Mercury
Virginia House Democrats wasted little time flexing their new majority on the opening day of the 2026 General Assembly, pushing through four proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday aimed at reshaping some of the state’s most consequential political and civil rights debates — including one that would allow lawmakers to redraw Virginia’s congressional map mid-decade.The measures, approved on party-line votes after clearing the House Privilege…
InsideNoVA.com
Washington Top NewsVirginia House Democrats advance four constitutional amendments on opening day of 2026 session
Virginia House Democrats wasted little time flexing their new majority on the opening day of the 2026 General Assembly, pushing through four proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday aimed at reshaping some of the state’s most consequential political and civil rights debates…
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