Arlington Democrats Statement on Virginia Supreme Court Decision Allowing April 21 Fair Maps Referendum to Proceed

Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court of Virginia makes clear that nothing in the ongoing litigation prevents the April 21 referendum from moving forward as scheduled. With this decision, Virginians will have the opportunity to weigh in directly on how congressional representation is structured for the 2026 elections.

At a time when several Republican-controlled states are advancing aggressive mid-decade redistricting efforts at the urging of Donald Trump, Virginia faces a real risk of having its representation effectively shaped by national partisan maneuvering rather than by a commitment to fair competition. The proposed amendment is a temporary, emergency response to that national environment. It allows voters to review proposed congressional maps before they take effect, provides transparency around the process, and is explicitly limited in duration. After the 2030 census, Virginia’s bipartisan redistricting system resumes in full.

Arlington Democrats believe that competitive elections, transparent processes, and fair representation strengthen our democracy and produce better leadership for the Commonwealth. We support giving Virginians the opportunity to consider this temporary measure to level the playing field and safeguard the integrity of our congressional elections in 2026.