Why Virginia's redistricting referendum is confusing some voters
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One of the most unusual elections in recent Virginia politics is almost over.
Why it matters: Virginia's redistricting fight has been filled with lawsuits, conflicting messaging, celebrity cameos, dark money and Democrats announcing campaigns for districts that don't exist yet.
Catch up quick: With early voting underway since March 6, more than 1.3 million Virginians have already cast ballots ahead of Tuesday's Election Day.
- Voters are deciding whether to amend the state constitution to allow a temporary mid-decade redraw of congressional maps — a move Democrats say counters GOP-led gerrymandering in other states and Republicans call a power grab.
- A "yes" vote would enact Democrats' proposed "10-1" map for the November midterms, shifting Virginia's current 6-5 split to 10 Democratic-leaning districts and one Republican-leaning seat.
- The change would reshape representation in the Richmond area and potentially influence control of the closely divided U.S. House.
Yes, but: Voters have told VPM it's been hard to follow.
- The ballot question, which Republicans have sued over and say isn't neutral, asks whether Virginia should amend its constitution to "restore fairness" in elections.
- The two main campaigns have similar names: Virginians for Fair Elections (pro-redistricting) and Virginians for Fair Maps (anti-redistricting).
- Both sides have used former President Obama and Gov. Spanberger to make opposing arguments.
Zoom in: Some anti-redistricting mailers from a GOP-aligned PAC referenced Jim Crow and images of Ku Klux Klan members, drawing accusations from the NAACP that they exploit civil rights images to sway Black voters.
- And a Democrat-backed billboard in rural Shenandoah encouraging a "yes" vote features a quote from President Trump, which a Republican official says was used "out of context."
By the numbers: Untraceable money is also flooding the race.
- Roughly 95% of the nearly $100 million raised has come from nonprofit groups that don't disclose donors, reports Time.
The intrigue: Big names — from politicians to celebrities and content creators — have jumped in too.
- Anti-redistricting backers include Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, former Trump White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and former Gov. Youngkin.
- For the pro-redistricting side: Obama, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and even rapper Pusha T and John Legend, who filmed a pro-yes video from inside Altria Theater.
What we're watching: Which side breaks through the noise.