Chesterfield adds second early voting location for redistricting referendum

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield County is making it easier for voters to make their voices heard on Virginia's redistricting referendum by adding a second early voting location.

On Tuesday, April 21, Virginia will hold a referendum on a proposal that would make significant changes to the state's congressional map. Early voting on this referendum began on March 6.

If approved by voters, many Virginians would see their congressional district change, which means they’d be represented by — and able to vote on the future of — a different member of Congress. Under the new map, 10 of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts would favor Democrats at the ballot box, based on historical electoral data.

This redistricting proposal has been highly controversial. While Virginia Democrats see it as an attempt to protect democracy after President Donald Trump successfully lobbied several Republican states to redraw their congressional maps to favor Republicans, Virginia Republicans see the new map as an attempt at gerrymandering, or the intentional manipulation of electoral maps to unfairly put one party in power.

ALL COVERAGE: Virginia Democrats’ Congressional Redistricting Proposal

Starting on 9 a.m. on Friday, April 10, Chesterfield voters can cast their ballots on this referendum early at the North Courthouse Road Library, which is located at 325 Courthouse Rd., according to an April 6 press release from the county.

This is the county's second in-person early voting location. The first is the Central Library at 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd, which opened on March 6.

Both sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through April 18. They will also be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 12.

Chesterfield voters looking to handle their civic duty early can also mail in their absentee ballots or drop them off at the General Registrar's Office, which is located at 9848 Lori Rd., during the following times:

• From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday until April 20
• From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 12

Absentee ballots will also be accepted at all regular polling places, as well as the General Registrar's Office, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

For all of our coverage on Virginia Democrats’ mid-decade congressional redistricting proposal, click here.