Barack Obama Urges Virginians to Vote Yes on Congressional Redistricting Referendum

Former President Barack Obama released a video Thursday urging Virginia voters to support a redistricting referendum scheduled for next month. The video was shared exclusively with ABC News and posted on Obama's social media accounts.

In the video, Obama argued that Republican-controlled states are redistricting mid-decade to give themselves an unfair advantage in the 2026 midterm elections. He pointed to Texas as an example, where Republicans started work last year to shift five Democratic seats to make them more favorable to Republicans.

Redistricting typically happens every 10 years after the census, but some states have been redrawing congressional maps more frequently. These maps determine the boundaries of voting districts, which can significantly impact election outcomes.

Virginia's referendum will let voters decide on new congressional maps. Obama's involvement highlights how redistricting has become a major political battleground as both parties seek to maximize their electoral advantages.