With 95% reporting, Virginia narrowly votes to temporarily redistrict with 51% of the vote.

According to the Associated Press, over 1.5M Virginians voted to redistrict yesterday. Some speculate that this will lead to further seats by the Democrats, giving them "a better chance" to win ten out of eleven districts in Virginia. The current Virginia House delegation is six to five.

Democratic elected officials released statements to the Rambler following the Yes vote. Speaker Don Scott, released following statement to the Rambler after Virginians voted YES to approve the redistricting referendum: “We trusted the voters, not politicians. We put this question on the ballot because we believe power belongs to the people. And tonight, the people of Virginia answered... In a special election with everything on the line, Virginians showed up in extraordinary numbers and chose fairness over fear, truth over misinformation, and democracy over political games. Let’s be clear about what this means: Virginia just changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms. At a moment when Trump and his allies are trying to lock in power before voters have a say, Virginians stepped up and leveled the playing field for the entire country."

Governor Abigail Spanberger released the following following the vote, "Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they approved a temporary measure to push back against a President who claims he is ‘entitled’ to more Republican seats in Congress. Virginians watched other states go along with those demands without voter input — and we refused to let that stand. We responded the right way: at the ballot box. I understand the urgency of winning congressional seats as a check on this President, and I look forward to campaigning with candidates across the Commonwealth working to earn Virginians’ trust — and their votes. Looking forward, I remain committed to ensuring Virginia's bipartisan redistricting commission gets back to work after the 2030 census, and to protecting the process Virginians voted to create.”

The Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Senator, Chairman Senator Lamont Bagby, issued the following statement to the Roanoke Rambler regarding the passage of the Virginia redistricting referendum: “Spearheaded by the Democratic Party of Virginia, and after months of dedicated work by Speaker Don Scott, Democratic members of the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia, and the efforts of so many Virginians, I am thrilled by tonight's results. This victory proves the importance of people coming together to protect our democracy and demand fairness in how our communities are represented. This win is crucial not only for our Commonwealth, but for our country as well. It sends a clear message that Virginians will not allow Donald Trump and the Republican Party to jeopardize the integrity of our elections or undermine the voices of voters. Tonight, we have made it clear that Virginia stands for fair maps, fair representation, and a government that reflects the will of the people. I am extremely grateful to every voter, volunteer, and community leader who showed up, spoke out, and made their voices heard. Tonight, once again, Virginia chose fairness, accountability, and democracy. The Democratic Party of Virginia will continue working ceaselessly every day to protect our Commonwealth from Donald Trump and the chaos coming out of the White House.” 

The Chair of the DCCC, (the official campaign arm of the Democrats in the House of Representatives), Suzan DelBene released the following to the Rambler. “Tonight’s result is a victory for every American who wants fair representation in Congress, a massive rebuke of Donald Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rig the midterm elections, and a rejection of their cruel, cost-spiking, and corrupt agenda that is hurting hardworking families. The DCCC has always said that the public, when given the opportunity, will hold Republicans accountable for their attack against fair representation in Congress, and tonight Virginia voters did exactly that. 

It is clear that the Democratic party, is taking the YES vote as a win, and the map will be favorable for the foreseeable future. Candidates for the new redistricted sixth district are starting to emerge and solidify.

Beth Macy candidate for Congress and long timed Roanoke resident, released the following statement to the Rambler on tonight’s passage of the redistricting referendum: “Today, Virginians' voices were heard. Regardless of what the Virginia Supreme Court may decide in the coming weeks, Virginians have made it clear that they’re willing to fight tooth and nail against the excesses of Donald Trump to hold the wealthy and powerful accountable and build a new system that works for everyone.”

Tom Perriello former 2017 gubernatorial candidate and  former U.S. Representative, former U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and 2017 gubernatorial candidate, sent a press release announcing his intention to run for the 6th district seat following the vote. Tom will be joining Beth Macy, Pete Barlow, Ken Mitchell and Hugh Murray among announced candidates.

"Folks around here can agree on one thing – we are paying way too much for gas, groceries and healthcare. It’s time to fire Congressmen like Ben Cline who jacked up costs to protect the corrupt,” said Perriello. "I’ve held hundreds of listening sessions across the Blue Ridge, and families deserve a representative who will fight to get costs down, paychecks up, and common sense back in the driver’s seat."

Since announcing in December, he has held over 200 community listening sessions in every county of the new district.

"I’ve spent my career fighting corruption, at home and overseas, because the powerful should have to play by the same rules as the rest of us,” said Perriello. "I promise to fight for our communities to have good schools, affordable healthcare and housing, and a voice in shaping what happens in Washington. It’s time to build a new American dream that our communities can afford." 

Perriello has been endorsed by Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Abigail Spanberger, and Ghazala Hashmi among other notable political figures.

The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to face off against incumbant Republican, Ben Cline, who advocated for a "NO" vote. A few months ago, Cline, championed $17 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) bill for widening and safety improvements along the I-81 corridor. He also recently championed (g) Cooperation Act of 2026: A bill seeking to strengthen federal-local immigration enforcement partnerships, making cooperation with ICE a condition for receiving certain grants.

The Roanoke Rambler Staff