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Apportionment (Election law)

Virginia Democrats Take Steps to Redraw US House Districts to Boost Party's Chances in 2024 Midterms

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Virginia Democrats are convening a special session on Monday to redraw the state's US House districts, a move aimed at boosting the party's chances in next year's midterm elections. The effort comes as Republican lawmakers in other states have approved new congressional maps aimed at helping their party win more seats. Virginia's decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the fight to ensure voters have fair representation, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Virginia Democrats' effort to redraw US House districts is aimed at gaining more Democratic-held seats and potentially taking control of the House.
  • If Democrats gain just three more seats, they would take control of the House and effectively impede President Trump's agenda.
  • Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have already approved new congressional maps aimed at helping their party win more seats.
  • Virginia's redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, which requires voter approval for any changes.
  • Any proposed change to the constitution must pass the legislature in two separate sessions and then be approved by voters.
  • The first vote on the legislative process will occur this year, with a second vote scheduled for a new legislative session beginning January 14.
  • Voters still need to approve a change in the constitution to allow using the new House map, and a vote would need to occur before congressional primaries on June 16.

Statistics:

  • Six Democrats and five Republicans currently represent Virginia in the US House.
  • The effort to redraw Virginia's congressional districts comes in the final weeks before the November 4 state legislative and statewide elections.
  • The redistricting commission in California, a state with a constitutionally established commission, approved maps after the 2020 census.
  • California voters will decide in their November 4 election whether to temporarily suspend those districts and instead use a map approved by the Democratic-led Legislature.
  • The new map in North Carolina, which received final approval from the Republican-led Legislature, targets a swing district held by Democratic US Rep. Don Davis.
  • In many states, congressional districts are drawn by state lawmakers, subject to the approval of the governor.

Sources:

  • Associated Press, CNN, Richmond, Virginia
  • Virginia House Speaker Don Scott
  • The Associated Press, condition of anonymity (four sources)
  • Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (Courtney Rice, communications director)
  • Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore

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