The special elections result decides whether the Virginia constitution should be amended to allow the general assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts. The districts were last redrawn in 2021 and currently will next be redrawn in 2031, unless changed from the outcome of the election.

The purpose behind the election is to restore fairness between both parties in the next three upcoming elections.DE Government teacher Jeffery Dunn explained, “[Voting to allow the congressional redistricting before 2031] gives the democrats an advantage. And they say the reason they want this temporary power is to counter what the Republicans have done to the states like Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio.”

The special election is granting voting eligibility to some younger Virginia citizens. Anyone who is 18 years old, registered to vote, and a citizen of Virginia can cast a ballot in any Virginia election. In this election, any 17 year old Virginia citizens who are registered to vote will be 18 years old before the general assembly in November.

The Virginia government is allowing leniency in its requirement to vote during the special election to help increase the predicted lower voter turnout numbers. “With early voting, absentee ballot voting, and mail voting, actual in person voting has declined a lot. This is also a special election in spring, so I anticipate that voter turnouts will be low,” Dunn said.

Senior Rohit Panse is an eligible voter who is going to participate in the special election and get his vote out there. “It’s important to get your vote out there, because it matters. The community as a whole, especially because this is the special election just for the state,” Rohit said.