Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has announced support for a ballot amendment that would allow temporary changes to the state's redistricting process in response to actions in other states. The move has drawn criticism from Republicans who point to her past opposition to gerrymandering. Voters will decide on the measure in April.
On March 5, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger released a video statement on X, declaring her intention to vote yes on a proposed ballot amendment. The amendment would enable Virginia to adjust its congressional maps temporarily if other states engage in partisan redistricting. Spanberger emphasized that her support for the 2020 bipartisan redistricting commission remains unchanged, but she cited evolving national dynamics, including a president's claim to entitlement for more Republican seats ahead of midterms.
The governor described the proposal as a limited, defensive measure, active only until October 2030 and triggered by external redistricting efforts. Virginia's standard redistricting cycle occurs every decade, with the next planned for 2031. If passed, the amendment would permit the state assembly to revisit maps in response to such actions elsewhere.
This position contrasts with Spanberger's earlier statements. In 2025, she told reporters, “I’ve been watching with interest what other states are doing, but I have no plans to redistrict Virginia.” Back in 2019, she had stated that “opposing gerrymandering should be a bipartisan priority.”
Republicans, including Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), have accused her of reversing course for political gain. In a February Fox News interview, Cline said, “She campaigned on not gerrymandering; on saying that gerrymandering was wrong, and that flips when push comes to shove and she gets a chance to reward those leaders in the national party like Barack Obama and Hakeem Jeffries.”
The endorsement occurs amid broader U.S. redistricting tensions. Democratic-led Maryland is considering map adjustments to favor its party, while Texas has gained five Republican seats. California responded with a ballot measure for five Democratic seats, and several southern Republican states are exploring changes. The Supreme Court is also reviewing a case that could impact the Voting Rights Act, fueling concerns over escalating partisan mapmaking before future elections.
Spanberger framed the amendment as non-partisan and reactive, effective only if other states act first. Opponents argue it erodes the bipartisan stance she once advocated. Virginia voters will cast ballots on the measure April 21.
