News
Reconvene Session Update
The Virginia General Assembly reconvenes forty five days after adjournment of a regular session known as the Reconvened Session to consider the Governor's vetoes and amendments to legislation. For 2026, this session occurred on April 22nd, where lawmakers acted on hundreds of bill amendments, substitutions, and vetoes, with the authority to accept or override these changes.
During this session, lawmakers reviewed, accepted, or rejected Governor Abigail Spanberger's recommended amendments and vetoes. This included updates to several workforce-related bills tied to paid family and medical leave and collective bargaining, changes to gun control legislation, and revisions related to the legalization of a retail cannabis market in the Commonwealth.
Redistricting Update
Virginia voters approved a ballot referendum allowing for mid-decade redrawing of congressional maps, which is expected to impact the upcoming midterm elections.
With 97% of votes counted, unofficial results show 51.5% in support and 48.6% opposed. The approval allows Democrats to move forward with proposed maps drawn by the state legislature, which are expected to favor Democrats in 10 U.S. House seats and 1 Republicans in one seat.
On Friday, May 8th, in a 4-3 decision, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the will of Virginia voters was unconstitutional. That ruling has been appealed.