Early voting begins Friday, March 6, in the Commonwealth, with many Virginians ready to cast their vote on the state’s redistricting amendment. April 18 will be the last day to vote early.
The special election on the proposed constitutional amendment to redraw congressional maps is being held on April 21, but you can cast your vote starting Friday at your local registrar’s office. Times vary depending on locality. Roanoke County voters can vote from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Roanoke City is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lynchburg is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The amendment has sparked significant debate and legal uncertainty, remaining tied up in ongoing court proceedings. On Wednesday night, for the second time, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that voters can cast ballots on a Democrat-led congressional redistricting plan.
If the new congressional map goes into effect, it would give the Democratic Party four additional seats across the Commonwealth. However, this change can only happen if it is approved by both voters and the state’s highest court.
On Thursday, Governor Abigail Spanberger released a statement on the matter, urging people to get out and vote. You can read Spanberger’s full statement below:
As early voting begins tomorrow on Virginia’s redistricting amendment, voters should know that Virginia’s approach is different. It is temporary, directly responsive to what other states decide to do, and — most importantly, it preserves Virginia’s bipartisan redistricting process for the future.
I supported the formation of Virginia’s bipartisan redistricting commission in 2020, and that support has not changed. What has changed is what we’re seeing in states across the country — and a President who says he is ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats before this year’s midterm elections.
Virginians have the opportunity to take action in response to this extraordinary moment in history. That’s why, as a Virginia voter, I’m voting in favor of this amendment.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger