Virginia Democratic lawmakers are advancing plans to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, leveraging a procedural loophole to reopen a special legislative session. House Speaker Don Scott announced the move in a letter, stating the chamber would convene to address matters from an ongoing 2024 special session that was never formally concluded. While Virginia law requires the governor—currently Republican Glenn Youngkin—to call a special session, Democrats are exploiting a technicality to bypass this requirement.
The effort comes as Republicans in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have enacted new maps under President Donald Trump’s influence, aiming to bolster GOP representation in the 2026 U.S. House elections. Virginia’s current congressional delegation includes six Democrats and five Republicans, with some analysts suggesting the proposed redistricting could shift three seats to Democratic control, creating a 9-2 majority.
While no official announcement has been made, Republican legislators confirmed redistricting is on the agenda, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee acknowledged Monday’s session in a press release. A new map would not take effect until at least the 2026 general election, as Virginia currently relies on a bipartisan redistricting commission. Changing this process would require a state constitutional amendment, which demands two legislative approvals separated by an election.
Democrats’ push marks the second state, after California, to counteract GOP-led map adjustments. As of October 23, the U.S. House comprises 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats. The current electoral boundaries feature closely contested races in Virginia’s 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 10th districts, with 2026 campaigning already underway in the 1st District, held by Republican Rep. Rob Wittman.