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Former President Barack Obama urged voters in Virginia on Friday to support a redistricting referendum ahead of the April 21 election, calling on them to vote early or on election day and to cast a “yes” ballot.
Obama made the appeal in a post on X and in a recorded message shared with it. He told voters to “make a plan” and “show up and vote yes,” adding that Virginians can vote early or on the day of the election and directing them to a voter information site to find polling locations.
In the video, Obama framed the referendum as a test of electoral fairness and voter participation. He said early voting is underway and that Virginians are turning out “in record numbers” to vote yes. He also argued that the measure would affect how political power is distributed, saying supporters could take a temporary step to “level the playing field” against Republicans seeking an “unfair advantage” in the midterms.
Republicans pushed back by circulating older footage of Obama from 2017, in which he criticized partisan gerrymandering as harmful to democracy, according to Reuters.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) accused Republicans of misrepresenting Obama’s stance, saying, “They wouldn’t be lying about Obama’s position if they weren’t desperate and worried.” Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) defended the approach, arguing that past political statements remain fair game, saying, “They don’t go away just because you’ve changed your viewpoint.”
The proposed Virginia map could significantly shift the state’s congressional delegation, potentially expanding Democratic representation and influencing control of the U.S. House. The current plans would remain in effect until after the 2030 census.
In February, the Republican National Committee sued in Virginia to block a ballot measure that would shift congressional redistricting power from an independent commission to state lawmakers.
The RNC said the proposal violated the state constitution and court rulings. It also alleged that Democrats rushed the process and misled voters ahead of the April 21 vote. RNC Chair Joe Gruters called it an “abuse of power.”
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