Virginia lawmakers to meet at Capitol as redistricting talk swirls

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia House of Delegates is set to meet at the Capitol at 4 p.m. Monday, part of what could be the first steps taken to redistrict the Commonwealth's congressional map.

Leaders have not confirmed the purpose of the gathering, but The New York Times reports Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell confirmed Democrats plan to take the first step toward revising district lines.

While the House issued a notice about the Oct. 27 meeting, the agenda hasn’t been released.

Texas, Missouri and North Carolina have already approved new congressional maps, and more states are now considering it.

However, if Virginia were to redistrict, any new map would take effect before next year’s midterm elections, not before next week’s gubernatorial race.

The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus has called on Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates — Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger — to reject the redistricting attempt.

So far, Democratic leaders have not commented on the reported plans.