Abortion, gay marriage: 4 constitutional amendments approved by Virginia Legislature

3. Authorizing a new congressional map 

House Joint Resolution 4 passed the Virginia House of Delegates in a 62-33 vote on Jan. 14, while the Virginia Senate voted 21-18 to advance the measure on Jan. 16. The vote fell along party lines, with all support for the measure coming from Democrats and all opposition coming from Republicans. 

If approved by voters, the measure would amend the Virginia Constitution to give the Virginia General Assembly the authority to modify the state’s map of congressional districts if any other state engages in mid-decade redistricting for any purpose other than to comply with a court order. A state generally implements congressional maps immediately following a United States Census, but several states have adopted new congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election to provide an advantage to the dominant political party in their state. 

If passed, House Joint Resolution 4 is expected to amend the map of Virginia’s congressional districts to increase the number of Democrats representing the state in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Virginia’s congressional delegation consists of six Democrats and five Republicans. Louise Lucas, president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate, has made it clear that she favors a map that would result in a delegation featuring 10 Democrats and one Republican. 

Since the proposed constitutional amendment has been approved by legislators in two consecutive legislative sessions, it can now head to voters for approval. Unlike the other proposed constitutional amendments passed by the Virginia Legislature, House Joint Resolution 4 is expected to go before voters in the spring so that new maps can be in place in time for the 2026 elections if voters approve it.