Virginia is set to hold a referendum on a Democrat-favored redistricting plan after the state’s upper chamber passed an amendment on Friday that clears the way.

Virginia marks the last Democratic maneuver before the midterm elections in the nationwide gerrymandering arms race, which started in August when Texas revealed plans for a new congressional map to strip Democrats of five seats. After a special session in October 2025 passed the amendment, the House passed it in a required special session earlier this week in a 62-33 vote. The measure passed through the state senate on Friday, setting up a voter referendum that would allow Democrats to draw a new congressional map earlier than usual.