by Serwan Zangana
Virginians voted for a redistricting referendum in a special election, which by a narrow margin the (Yes) received 51.5% to 48.6 for (NO). Regardless of the numbers, the voters in Virginia responded to both the Republicans and the Democrats and handed the latter the victory. It is a political battle between the Democrats and the Republicans as they put the voters in the middle of such political conflicts to gain the majority seats in the Congress.
The Democrats in the past have opposed gerrymandering and perceived it as unfair and dangerous for democracy. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has in the past stated that, “ Gerrymandering is detrimental to our democracy and it weakens the individual voices that form our electorates.” She further said that, “ Opposing gerrymandering should be a bipartisan priority.”
But what happened to Gov. Spanberger’s statements and her support for “individual voices?” It is indeed a politics that cannot guarantee what the politicians state and promise. The Republicans blamed the Democrats for such gerrymandering as unfair redistricting in Virginia claiming that they abused their majority in Richmond and pushed for a special election. Apparently on Tuesday night of April 21, the Democrats claimed the victory.
This redistricting will leave only one Republican Congressional district and allow the Democrats to keep the total of 11 districts. The Republican Party and its supporters were in fact disturbed by the result of the election while the Democrats celebrated. This is how the politics exactly operates in the democratic society as the lawmakers propose, and in some circumstances, such as the redistricting amendment, it will be sent to court to be approved for election. And hence, as the result of the elections, one side of the aisle will claim victory.
However, both the Democrats and the Republicans are defining the fairness in redistricting to favor their interest and gain the majority. The question of the proposed amendment that appeared on the ballot for the April 21, election was wisely framed as, “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?”
First, it is less likely that the redistricting to be temporary, and as this one was voted (Yes), the Democrats will not allow the standard process of redistricting resumes after the 2030 census unless the Republicans take the control of both the General Assembly and the Governor in Virginia. Second, the key word “restore fairness” of the question on the ballot built a case for the voters to vote “Yes” as with no doubt that every American desires fairness in elections.
However, before blaming the Democrats, the Republicans should trace back the idea of such a redistricting and find out where it began as it is completely opposite of fairness, and in fact it is causing an imbalance in the Congressional district in each State that approves the amendment. It is noteworthy that the U.S Constitution has mandated the Congressional redistricting every 10 years right after the census.
But President Donald Trump in 2025 triggered this current redistricting and urged the Republicans in Texas to redraw House districts to boost the Party in the midterm elections. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a revised House map into law in August 2025.
However, in response, the Democrats began to fight back with the same agenda, as Trump’s to redraw House districts in the blue States. The voters in California in November 2025, voted for revised House districts drawn by the Democrats.
Apparently, the political tension in the U.S has worsened since Trump became the President in 2016, and indeed after the 2024 election and winning the second term of the presidency, he continued the harsh language with being scornful of anyone who disagreed with him. While President Trump is obviously fighting the Democrats with fire, the Democrats have to fight back the same way or they would lose.
Therefore, the Republicans need not to blame the Democrats for “ fighting fire with fire” but blame the President, who is fighting everyone with fire.
