Early voting began March 6 for the special election scheduled to occur April 21 which concerns a proposed constitutional amendment regarding congressional redistricting. University students registered in Charlottesville or Albemarle County have multiple opportunities to weigh in on a highly debated ballot question for the Commonwealth. Here is what students need to know before heading to the polls.
The amendment would allow the General Assembly to bypass Virginia’s independent Redistricting Commission — the group in place that currently sets Congressional district boundaries — and pass new congressional maps of its own until 2031. The measure passed the General Assembly in January, but to become law, voters must now approve its adoption. Supporters of the redistricting amendment say that the measure is needed to counteract gerrymanders encouraged by President Donald Trump in Republican states, while those who oppose the amendment say that the gerrymandering silences constituent voices and exacerbates polarization.
Students may cast an early vote in person or by mail, and if they choose to wait until election day April 21, they must vote at their assigned polling place with an approved form of identification, which includes a student ID.
What’s on the ballot?
Voters will be asked, “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?”
Voting “yes” would allow the General Assembly to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts and allow the proposed district map to take effect immediately ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In 2031, the responsibility of drawing congressional districts would be returned to the Virginia Redistricting Commission. Voting “no” would leave the responsibility where it currently lies — with the Virginia Redistricting Commission — and the current districting process would remain in effect.
The General Assembly approved a 10-1 Democrat-favored map last month, which would go into effect following approval from voters. Charlottesville and Albemarle County would move from the Fifth Congressional District to the newly proposed Sixth Congressional District. Detailed information about the referendum, including an explanation for voters, a comparison between the present and proposed law and the amendment’s full text, can be found on the Virginia Department of Elections webpage.
Voting early in person
Early voting is already open in select locations and will remain open until April 18. Expanded voter registration offices will be open for in-person early voting starting April 11. Students can contact their local registrar’s office for all early voting information, including where and when they can vote.
Voting by mail
Students who prefer to vote by mail must request a mail-in ballot. This can be done using the Citizen Portal, and the deadline to do so is 5 p.m. April 10. Completed mail-in ballots should be returned to the local registrar’s office or designated drop-off location by Election Day, or postmarked no later than April 21 and received by April 24.
Election Day
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. April 21. Students can use the Virginia Department of Elections polling place lookup tool or their local registrar’s office website to confirm their assigned polling location. An approved form of identification is required to vote, or a provisional ballot can be cast if the voter does not have an ID. In order for a provisional ballot vote to count, a copy of an ID or an ID confirmation statement must be submitted. Students can present their student ID as a valid form of identification.
How to register
Any voter registered in Virginia may cast a vote. Adult citizens who reside in Virginia and are not yet registered may do so at any time, including on Election Day. Students can check or update their registration using the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal. Voters who register after April 14 must vote in person with a provisional ballot.
In-state students can register to vote online with a valid Virginia driver’s license, and out-of-state students interested in voting in Virginia must not be registered in another state or must switch their registered address to their Charlottesville address.
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