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Virginia House pushes through last-minute redistricting amendment as GOP cries foul
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/10/29/va-house-pushes-through-last-minute-redistricting-amendment-as-gop-cries-foul/After three days of partisan wrangling in a surprise special session, the Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would give lawmakers limited power to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade — a move Democrats say is needed to protect the commonwealth if other states manipulate their maps for partisan gain.
The measure, House Joint Resolution 6007, sponsored by Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, passed 51-42 along party lines after a tense floor debate that laid bare deep divisions over both timing and intent.
Willett said on the House floor that his proposal would create “a narrow exception” allowing the General Assembly to modify congressional lines “if another U.S. state withdraws its congressional districts mid-decade for reasons other than completing the decennial redistricting or complying with a court order.”
He emphasized the amendment would expire in 2030, leave the state’s independent redistricting commission intact, and give final authority to voters through a statewide referendum.
“This resolution is temporary,” Willett said. “Most importantly, it allows the voters of Virginia to decide whether there is redistricting or not. Our hand has been forced … because of events in the country, unprecedented events.”
The measure, House Joint Resolution 6007, sponsored by Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, passed 51-42 along party lines after a tense floor debate that laid bare deep divisions over both timing and intent.
Willett said on the House floor that his proposal would create “a narrow exception” allowing the General Assembly to modify congressional lines “if another U.S. state withdraws its congressional districts mid-decade for reasons other than completing the decennial redistricting or complying with a court order.”
He emphasized the amendment would expire in 2030, leave the state’s independent redistricting commission intact, and give final authority to voters through a statewide referendum.
“This resolution is temporary,” Willett said. “Most importantly, it allows the voters of Virginia to decide whether there is redistricting or not. Our hand has been forced … because of events in the country, unprecedented events.”
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