Voters in Virginia on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment allowing the state’s Democrat-controlled General Assembly to redraw congressional district lines, marking a significant shift in how maps will be drawn ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The measure temporarily suspends the state’s bipartisan redistricting system, which voters approved in 2020, and instead gives lawmakers direct authority to adopt new congressional maps through 2030. The change enables the legislature to move forward with a plan that has already been passed and could substantially reshape the state’s representation in the U.S. House.

Virginia currently has an 11-member congressional delegation with a narrow 6-5 Democratic majority. Under the newly approved map, analysts say that the margin could expand significantly, with projections suggesting Democrats could gain a far larger advantage in future elections.

Republicans, including allies of President Donald Trump, opposed the amendment and warned it would lead to an aggressive partisan gerrymander that could weaken GOP representation, particularly in rural areas. They also pointed to the reversal of the voter-approved bipartisan system as a precedent that could fuel similar actions in other states.

Supporters of the measure argued the change was necessary to respond to redistricting efforts in Republican-led states, framing the move as part of a broader national fight over congressional maps and political control.

The referendum drew tens of millions of dollars in campaign spending and became one of the most closely watched ballot measures in the country due to its potential impact on the balance of power in Washington.

With voter approval secured, the new congressional map is expected to take effect for the 2026 elections, although legal challenges remain ongoing and could influence how and when the changes are implemented.