One day before Virginia voters decide a redistricting amendment, Republican leaders gathered in Richmond to urge a “no” vote in a final push ahead of the decision on a constitutional amendment with potential to shift U.S. House of Representatives representation from 6-5 Democrats to 10-5.
At Shorty’s Diner on West Broad Street, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, former Attorney General Jason Miyares, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman and U.S. Rep. John McGuire urged voters to reject the amendment. If approved, the Legislature could redraw congressional districts for this year’s election and the regular every 10 years process would resume after the 2030 census.
“We’re doing the work to make sure everybody understands the right vote is a no vote,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin described the proposal as “unconstitutional, illegal and immoral,” and said voters had been misled about its purpose.
“They were made promises, and they have not been kept,” he said. “Virginians don’t like to be lied to.”
He also pointed to spending behind the effort, saying supporters of the amendment have spent more than $70 million backing the proposal.
Campaign finance reports show a wide gap in spending between groups on both sides. Virginians for Fair Elections, which supports the amendment, reported raising more than $64 million during the filing period, while Virginians for Fair Maps, which opposes the proposal, reported raising more than $19.8 million, with additional opposition groups reporting smaller totals.
