Attention, Virginia voters: The final day to vote early in the upcoming proposed redistricting is Saturday, April 18. Election day is April 21.
What’s On the Ballot?
The ballot will only have one question:
“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?”
Congressional districts in Virginia are typically redrawn every 10 years by the Virginia Redistricting Committee. The last redistricting was in 2021, with the next planned redistricting scheduled for 2031.
The special election will determine whether the Virginia General Assembly will be given the authority to redraw one or more of Virginia’s congressional districts before 2031.
If voters adopt the measure, the state’s proposed redistricting map — which was approved by the General Assembly — would shift Virginia’s U.S. House delegation in favor of Democrats. The state would move from the current six Democratic and five Republican districts to 10 Democratic-leaning districts and one heavily Republican district.
These new districts would be temporary; the Virginia Redistricting Committee would resume redistricting responsibilities in 2031.
Learn more about the redistricting vote here.
Voting Early
Early voting kicked off on March 6 and runs through Saturday, April 18. As of April 15, more than 1 million voters had cast early ballots.
There are several places to vote early, including governmental centers, libraries, and community centers. Early voting locations are listed on the Virginia Department of Elections website. You can type in your address to find nearby early voting sites, as well as hours of operation.
You can only vote in the locality in which you’re registered.
Voting on Election Day
After Saturday, you’ll have to wait until election day — Tuesday, April 21 — to cast a ballot. To vote on election day, head to your designated polling place during voting hours. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Be sure to bring your government-issued ID to vote. If you are not registered, Virginia allows same-day voter registration with a provisional ballot.
If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked on or before April 21 and received by noon on April 24.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
