It’s Election Day for Virginia’s redistricting referendum

Polls open at 6 a.m. today, Tuesday, April 21, for an unusual Election Day.

Instead of selecting candidates in this oddly timed election, voters will be asked a single question:

Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?

If you’re at all confused about what you’re being asked there, you’re not alone. Here’s a simple breakdown of what a “yes” and “no” vote actually mean:

What does a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote actually mean in Virginia’s special election on redistricting?

Now, here’s some quick information about how to vote today:

• Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• If you’re already registered to vote, here’s where registered voters can look up your polling location.
• If you’re not registered, no worries! Election workers will register you on the spot and give you a provisional ballot to cast. (Officials will then need to verify your eligibility to vote before counting your ballot.) Here’s where you can find your polling location.
• Plan to bring your ID. Here’s a list of acceptable ones.
• If you arrive without an ID, most of you can still vote. A poll worker will ask you to sign a form affirming your identity. (I found this training document from the Virginia Department of Elections helpful for understanding the rules.)

Because of this referendum, Virginia has moved its Primary Election Day from the usual June date to August 4. If the referendum is approved, this will give lawmakers time to redraw the maps and candidates time to seek nomination in the newly defined districts.

Either way, the state will release candidates’ names later this summer. As always, we will build a guide to help central Virginia voters better understand the folks seeking to represent them. We do this primarily by creating Q&As for each candidate in each race. We then publish their responses side-by-side to give you, the voter, a quick way to compare where candidates stand on the issues that matter most to you. Here’s an example from last year’s Voter Guide.

So, what questions would you like your candidates to answer?

No, really. I’m asking. We’re currently surveying central Virginia voters, and we use your responses to create the questionnaires we send to candidates. So, please take a moment to respond, and help us make this voter guide useful for you!

Fill out the Voter Guide survey here

Thanks for voting!
Jessie Higgins, Democracy Editor