In 2020, a clear message resonated across Virginia: end the manipulation of electoral districts. Nearly two-thirds of voters amended the state constitution, establishing an independent redistricting commission and wresting the power to draw voting maps from the hands of politicians. The intent was undeniable – to dismantle gerrymandering and restore the fundamental principle of voters choosing their representatives.
The promise of fairness was enthusiastically embraced by many. Leaders like House Speaker Don Scott and Senate President pro tempore L. Louise Lucas championed the reform, envisioning a transparent and equitable process. Representative Don Beyer succinctly captured the sentiment, declaring gerrymandering “cheating,” a perversion of the democratic ideal.
Abigail Spanberger, before becoming governor, voiced strong opposition to gerrymandering, stating it was “detrimental to our democracy” and pledging not to redistrict Virginia. Her words echoed a widespread belief that partisan map-drawing should be a bipartisan priority, a principle seemingly etched in stone.
However, a stark reversal has occurred. Governor Spanberger has now signed legislation paving the way for a dramatically skewed 10-1 congressional map, poised to grant Democrats ten of Virginia’s eleven seats despite the state’s closely divided electorate. This outcome fundamentally contradicts the spirit of the 2020 reform.
The unveiling of the 10-1 map was accompanied by unapologetic declarations of intent. Lucas openly stated, “We said 10-1 and we meant it,” while Scott framed it as “leveling the playing field across the country.” This language reveals a focus not on representing communities or adhering to neutral principles, but on achieving a specific national partisan advantage.
The irony is profound. Scott previously asserted that manipulating election maps “overrides the will of the people,” yet now defends a map explicitly designed to give one party overwhelming control. This contradiction highlights a dangerous willingness to abandon principles when political expediency dictates.
One cannot legitimately condemn gerrymandering as a national injustice while simultaneously embracing it within state borders. The answer to partisan manipulation elsewhere is not to replicate it at home. The 2020 constitutional amendment was a direct response to this very hypocrisy, a safeguard against precisely this scenario.
Virginia is a competitive state, currently represented by six Democrats and five Republicans, reflecting an electorate roughly split between the two parties. A 10-1 map does not mirror this reality; it actively manufactures a result, distorting the political landscape.
The map was crafted in secrecy, prioritizing partisan advantage above all else. Northern Virginia is fractured into five districts, not to preserve communities, but to maximize Democratic gains. Regions with little shared identity are artificially combined, all in service of a predetermined outcome.
This is, unequivocally, gerrymandering. It directly violates Virginia state law, which mandates that districts not “unduly favor or disfavor any political party.” The proposed 10-1 map raises serious constitutional concerns, embodying the very practice Virginians rejected in 2020.
The General Assembly has scheduled a referendum on April 21 to consider a constitutional amendment that would dismantle the independent commission and return map-drawing power to politicians mid-decade. This is a blatant attempt to alter the rules before the 2026 midterms, setting a dangerous precedent.
Suspending these safeguards, even once, for partisan gain opens the door to repeated manipulation in future elections. This is how trust in the electoral process erodes – not through a single dramatic act, but through a series of incremental rule changes justified as “exceptions.”
The argument that Virginia must respond to the actions of other states is a false justification. If gerrymandering is truly detrimental to democracy, it cannot become acceptable simply because it benefits a particular party. The principles of fairness and representation remain constant.
Independent redistricting was the right approach in 2020, and it remains the right approach today. The guardrails established by Virginia voters to prevent partisan manipulation should not be dismantled simply because the political calculations have changed. The choice for fairness made in 2020 must stand.
Currently, Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District is represented by Republican Jen Kiggans. The 5th District is represented by Republican John McGuire. Ben Cline represents the 6th District, also as a Republican. And Morgan Griffith, a Republican, represents the 9th Congressional District.
