Virginia redistricting ‘Yes’ campaign says they’re ahead as they step up efforts to drive voter turnout
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The “Yes” campaign says that, with Election Day nearing, they feel good about Virginia’s redistricting referendum.
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, under the new map, 10 of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts would favor Democrats at the ballot box -- a move Democrats see as an attempt to protect democracy, while Republicans see it as an attempt at gerrymandering.
“Across the Commonwealth, the data is clear: Virginians are showing up, they’re voting early, and they are voting 'Yes,'” said Keren Charles Dongo, Campaign Manager for Virginians for Fair Elections, the main pro-redistricting campaign in Virginia.
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Dongo said that, despite early voting data showing higher turnout in the five congressional districts currently held by Republicans, the campaign's own data projections show the “Yes” campaign is leading in early voting.
“Remember, even in Republican areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s just all Republicans voting,” Dongo told 8News.
Dongo said the "Yes" campaign is launching a statewide push to drive voter turnout as additional satellite locations open up around Virginia the weekend of Friday, April 10.
“On Super Saturday, you'll see our leaders across the Commonwealth barnstorming," Dongo said. "They will be launching canvasses, casting their own votes, greeting voters, driving out turnout."
8News reached out to Virginians for Fair Maps, the main campaign opposing redistricting for this story, but didn’t hear back.
Early voting continues through April 18.
For all of our coverage on Virginia Democrats’ mid-decade congressional redistricting proposal, click here.
