Former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is urging voters to reject a statewide ballot measure set for a Tuesday vote that would overhaul the state’s current redistricting system, calling the proposal an effort to concentrate political power over congressional map drawing.

The measure would repeal a constitutional reform approved by Virginia voters in 2020 that established a bipartisan redistricting commission intended to reduce direct partisan control over legislative and congressional boundaries. If approved, the new amendment would transfer authority back to the state legislature.

Supporters of the proposal, including Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, argue the change would streamline the redistricting process and revise the current framework governing how district maps are drawn in the commonwealth.

Under maps associated with the proposed change, analysts have projected shifts in Virginia’s congressional balance, which currently includes six Democratic and five Republican representatives, toward districts more favorable to Democrats in future election cycles.

Youngkin, a Republican, said the existing system produces what he described as relatively balanced representation and warned that replacing it would increase partisan control over map drawing. He argued the current commission-based structure limits political influence and should remain in place.

The debate comes amid broader national disputes over redistricting practices, with several states revisiting or modifying their map-drawing systems in recent election cycles. Both Republican- and Democratic-led states have pursued changes that critics on each side have described as advantageous to their respective parties.

Polling released earlier this month by the Washington Post and Schar School indicated a closely divided electorate on the Virginia measure, with support slightly ahead in early results, while turnout enthusiasm varied between party groups as early voting continued.

Youngkin has framed the vote as a decision on whether to maintain the current commission system or return redistricting authority to elected legislators, with final approval now resting with voters at the ballot box.