Virginia's 2026 session opens with abortion, redistricting on deck
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
As Virginia lawmakers return to Richmond this week, the spotlight is on how aggressively Democrats plan to wield their newly unified power and where they'll strike first.
Why it matters: The last time they held a trifecta, Virginia abolished the death penalty, legalized recreational marijuana and expanded abortion access — cementing the once solidly conservative state as one of the most progressive in the South.
The big picture: The 2026 session is already on track to be consequential, with Democrats expected to move quickly to advance constitutional amendments for Virginians to vote on this year.
- It's the final legislative step in a process that began years ago.
- Those amendments cover abortion rights, marriage equality, restoration of voting rights for people with felony convictions and, since last year, redistricting.
Zoom in: Dems are also planning to revive proposals blocked under Gov. Glenn Youngkin, including $15 minimum wage, paid sick leave, expanded child care assistance and a legal retail weed market.
- They're also re-upping an assault weapons ban and weighing new state oversight of data centers.
Between the lines: They'll be pursuing it all as Virginia stares down major budget pressure from federal cuts to Medicaid, potentially forcing Dems to juggle ambitious legislative hopes with affordability promises.
Here's a closer look at some of the session's major moves:
🧩 Redistricting
The controversial amendment would give the legislature the ability to redraw congressional lines mid-decade, which Republicans have called "unconstitutional."
- Democrats say they're countering what Republican-led states have already done to add GOP seats at President Trump's behest.
- Virginians might be able to vote on it as early as April, and see what those maps might look like by the end of February, per the Washington Post.
💨 Weed
In addition to getting retail weed sales up and running this fall, there's a push to give people convicted of marijuana-related felonies before Virginia legalized possession a chance to have their sentences shortened.
🏠 Affordability
Lawmakers are weighing proposals to:
- Give localities more power to address rent gouging
- Extend the grace period for late rent payments
- And prevent utilities from passing data center-driven costs onto household electric bills.
What we're watching: Some are eyeing a repeal of Virginia's right-to-work law, which will likely test Democratic unity.
- And there might be reforms regarding how university boards are appointed, reports Virginia Business.
What's next: We want readers to help choose the topics we follow this session. Vote here to let us know your top issues.