For an opposing point of view, see a counterpoint from a Democrat in Lee County. For more information on the special election, see our Voter Guide.
On April 21, Virginians face a consequential choice: whether to preserve our current non-partisan redistricting system or to temporarily redraw our congressional district lines in response to what has become a national “tit-for-tat” escalation of partisan map-making.
As a Republican, I believe in conservative principles — limited government, institutional stability, accountability and respect for the rule of law. Those principles must apply even when it is politically inconvenient. Especially then.
What began in Texas ahead of the midterms by my party has triggered retaliatory efforts in other states. I’ll be candid: when either party redraws maps solely to entrench political advantage, it undermines public trust. The Republican Party was wrong for setting this in motion and must take ownership of that misguided act at the same time. What is being proposed here by the Democrats is wrong, too. This approach reflects short-term thinking and political impulse, not long-term stewardship. Republicans and Democrats should compete on ideas, policies, vision and leadership — not on which side can manipulate lines more effectively.
Representative government depends on legitimacy. When voters believe outcomes are engineered rather than earned, confidence in institutions erodes. Conservatives have long argued for constitutional order, equal protection and stable systems. Gerrymandering for partisan gain contradicts those very values.
That is precisely why Virginians acted in 2020.
More than 65% of voters — across party lines — approved the creation of a nonpartisan redistricting commission. It was a reform rooted in common sense: politicians should not choose their voters; voters should choose their representatives. Republicans supported that amendment because it reflected fairness, transparency, and structural integrity.
The current system is not perfect — no system is — but it works. It reflects Virginia’s diverse regions and voting patterns while preserving communities of interest from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads to rural Southside and Southwest. It provides predictability and removes overt political self-interest from the process.
The referendum now before voters would undo that progress.
The proposed maps would concentrate most districts in Northern Virginia, shifting influence away from rural and Southside communities. Regardless of which party benefits, that kind of regional imbalance is not healthy for representative government. Virginia is more than one metro region. Our system should reflect that.
This is not about MAGA politics versus progressive politics. It is about whether we remain consistent in our principles.
I am a Republican who believes in constitutional conservatism — in stable institutions, federalism, local voice and fair process. If we oppose partisan gerrymandering elsewhere, we must oppose it here. If we argue for the rule of law, we must respect reforms the voters already enacted. If we believe in integrity, we cannot abandon it when it becomes inconvenient.
A “Yes” vote reopens the door to partisan map manipulation.
A “No” vote affirms the reform Virginians chose in 2020.
A “No” vote protects the integrity of our elections and ensures that every Virginian — urban, suburban and rural — maintains an equal voice.
Conservatism, at its best, is about preserving institutions that work and reforming those that don’t — not tearing down systems simply because the political winds shift.
On April 21, let’s honor the will of the voters in 2020, and keep what shows the makeup of our beautiful commonwealth.
Let us rise above partisan games and defend representative government. Virginia, join me in voting “No” on April 21.
Thomas Turner is a longtime conservative activist and former Virginia Republican Party official from Suffolk. Most notably, he is the former state chairman of the Young Republican Federation of Virginia (2019-2021) and the founder and vice chairman of the Western Tidewater Young Republicans.
