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Legal challenges to redistricting efforts are playing out in court. A referendum which would allow Democratic legislators to temporarily redraw Virginia’s congressional map continues to move forward.
The redistricting plan has been put up for early voting and a special election is scheduled for April 21.
Virginia Democrats are pushing for a mid-decade redistricting plan, and voters will decide whether to amend the constitution to allow the General Assembly to proceed.
The special election was questioned due to lawsuits over ballot language and legality.
Virginia’s Supreme Court has ruled that the voters may cast their ballots while justices examine the legal challenges against the referendum and amendment.
Tazewell County Circuit Court ruled against the redistricting.
It’s possible that the results of the elections may not matter in the redistricting fight if the upper court upholds this ruling.
Virginia pushed back its primary summer to August 4 due to the vote on redistricting. The primary election is usually held on the third Wednesday in June.
Dates in a glance
- Voting in person early: 6 March to 18 April
- Date for registering or updating voter registration is April 14.
- The deadline to request absentee or mail-in ballot is April 10.
- Election Day is April 21, 2019.
What’s on the ballot
The ballot asks: “Should Virginia’s Constitution be amended to allow for the General Assembly temporarily to adopt new congressional district to restore fairness to the upcoming elections while ensuring Virginia standard redistricting processes resumes after the 2030 Census?”
The state legislature could create a new map that would help the Democrats win four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives if the amendment passes.
Virginia only redrafts its map every 10 years. The map from 2021 is the most recent.
The committee responsible for drawing maps will resume its normal business in 2030, if the amendment is approved.
Voting on special election day
On April 21, polls will be open from 6 am to 7 pm for those voting in person.
Visit the Virginia Department of Elections website to find out where you can vote on the day of a special election.
The curbside voting option is available to voters 65 years old or older or with disabilities.
Voters must bring a valid photo ID. If you forget it, you can either sign an ID verification statement or use a provisional vote.
You have until the 24th of April to submit a copy your ID or sign a statement of confirmation to your local electoral board.
Online, you can find a list of acceptable ID .
Voting by mail
absentee ballot requests can be made by voters until Friday, April 10, at 5 pm.
Postmarks on ballots must be received no later than April 24, and they must be received before April 21.
Voters can bring their absentee votes to a drop off location instead of mailing them. You can check with your local election office to find out where drop boxes are located.
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