Virginia voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday for a high-stakes redistricting referendum. The ballot measure seeks to amend the state's constitution to implement a new congressional map, a move that could play a key role in determining which party wins control of the U.S. House of Representatives this fall.
The referendum would allow the state to use redrawn congressional maps from the Democratic-controlled Assembly, providing Democrats an advantage in 10 of the state's 11 House districts. Such a result could lead to Democrats picking up as many as four seats in this year's midterm elections.
Supporters argue the measure is a necessary response to aggressive Republican-led redistricting in other states amid a national redistricting arms race. Opponents call the move blatant partisanship. With the race being tight, the outcome could potentially shift the balance of power in Washington.