They said one thing.
They did another.

Virginia Democrats championed independent redistricting. Then they won power — and drew 10-1 partisan maps. This is what they said, in their own words.

See the Receipts →
"We can get 8-3 w/ the current maps. 10-1."
- Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg
January 8, 2026 · 106,000 views
420
Tweets Captured
7
Profiles Live
10-1
Proposed Map Split
Apr 21
Referendum Date
THE STORY

What Happened in Virginia

Four steps from reform to power grab

01

The Promise

In 2020, voters approved Amendment 1 — a bipartisan commission to draw fair districts. Democrats campaigned for it.

02

The Deadlock

The commission deadlocked in 2021. The Supreme Court drew the maps. The system worked as designed.

03

The Flip

After winning full control in 2025, Democrats bypassed the commission and drew maps themselves — targeting a 10-1 advantage.

04

The Fight

The Supreme Court ruled the process unconstitutional. A referendum is set for April 21, 2026.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

The Receipts

Click any legislator to see what they said — then and now

VanValkenburg

Schuyler VanValkenburg

VA Senate · District 16 · Henrico

21 tweets · 2019-2026

Lucas

Louise Lucas

VA Senate · District 18 · Portsmouth

31 tweets · 2017-2026

Saslaw

Dick Saslaw

VA Senate · District 35 · Fairfax

25 tweets · then silence

Obama

Barack Obama

44th President · Founded Anti-Gerrymandering Org

9 tweets · 30M+ views

Holder

Eric Holder

Fmr. Attorney General · NDRC Chair

299 tweets · 2017-2025

Kaine

Tim Kaine

US Senator · Virginia

5 tweets · 2019-2026

Ayala

Hala Ayala

Fmr. VA Delegate · Lt. Gov Candidate

35 tweets · 2017-2022

VanValkenburg

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg

Democrat · District 16 · Henrico · @ScVanValkenburg · 21 tweets

🟢 2019-2020
"Working towards an independent commission and banning partisan data."Sep 30, 2019
"A criteria bill w/ teeth — bans partisan data."Jul 14, 2019
"Vote 'yes' for Amendment 1."Oct 13, 2020
VS
2025-2026
"We can get 8-3. 10-1."Jan 8, 2026 · 106K views
"We won 64 seats with fair maps y'all."Nov 4, 2025
"Not voting to get rid of fair maps!"Oct 28, 2025 · 33K
2019
Jul 1, 2019

"The Supreme Court's decision to allow partisan gerrymandering — one glaring example of not living up to our ideals."

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Jul 14, 2019

"In VA we need a criteria bill w/ teeth — bans the use of partisan data."

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Sep 30, 2019

"Gerrymandering is a scourge. I will fight to end it — independent commission, banning partisan data."

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2020
Feb 24, 2020

"We need to end gerrymandering at the federal and state level!"

Replying to Schwarzenegger

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Oct 13, 2020

"Amendment 1 is the best bet for fair maps. Vote 'yes.'"

Campaigned for the commission he now circumvents

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2025
Oct 27, 202540.2K

"They only care about helping Trump. Miss me with these crocodile tears."

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Oct 28, 202533.7K

"I'm not voting to get rid of fair maps!"

Rebranding partisan maps

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Nov 4, 2025

"We won 64 seats with fair maps y'all."

2026
THE SMOKING GUN
Jan 8, 2026106K

"We can get 8-3 w/ the current maps. 10-1. Right @SenLouiseLucas?"

The quiet part out loud

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Mar 5, 202685.2K

"Imagine if they sent this letter when he pressured Texas to gerrymander."

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Lucas

Sen. Louise Lucas

Democrat · District 18 · Portsmouth · President Pro Tempore · 31 tweets

🟢 2017
"Redistricting reform. Districts belong to Virginians, not any party."Feb 2, 2017
VS
2025-2026
"We will fight fire with fire "Oct 27, 2025 · 57.9K
"Coaching from a cuck chair in the corner. 10-1"Jan 16, 2026 · 1.4M
"10-1 redistricting agreement."Feb 5, 2026 · 1.1M
2017
Feb 2, 2017

RT: "Thank you for redistricting reform. Districts belong to Virginians, not any party."

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2025
FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE
Oct 27, 202557.9K

"It's only reasonable for Dems to respond! We will fight fire with fire "

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Oct 27, 20254.4K

"You can bet your ass Democrats are ready for this fight."

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Nov 8, 20251.1M

"My official response to the Washington Post editorial on redistricting."

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Nov 26, 2025245K

"FOUR"

Celebrating four new Dem seats

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2026
"CUCK CHAIR" · 1.4M VIEWS
Jan 16, 20261.4M

"We don't need coaching from a cuck chair in the corner. Let us handle redistricting. 10-1"

Telling Kaine and Warner to back off

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10-1 ANNOUNCED · 1.1M
Feb 5, 20261.1M

"Virginia has reached a 10-1 redistricting agreement."

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Obama

Barack Obama

44th President · Co-founded All On The Line / NDRC with Eric Holder · @BarackObama · 9 tweets

🟢 2019-2024: "End Gerrymandering"
"Voters should choose their representatives — not the other way around."Feb 22, 2022
"Citizens in Michigan took politics out of the redistricting process."Dec 31, 2021
"Stop partisan gerrymandering once and for all."Nov 23, 2022
VS
2025: "We Shouldn't... But"
"We shouldn't have political gerrymandering... But since Texas is taking direction from a partisan White House..."Aug 20, 2025 · 30M views · 175K likes
Endorsed NDRC's support for Democrats drawing maps in state legislatures — the exact thing he built an organization to stop.2025
2025 — THE FLIP
30 MILLION VIEWS
Aug 20, 202530M

"Over the long term, we shouldn't have political gerrymandering in America, just a fair fight between Republicans and Democrats based on who's got better ideas. But since Texas is taking direction from a partisan White House and gerrymandering in the middle of a decade..."

Endorsed NDRC calling Democratic redistricting "a fair and responsible response" — 175K likes

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2024
Apr 11, 20247M

"The @DemRedistrict is investing in state-level elections and backing candidates who are key to stopping anti-democratic agendas — including gerrymandering."

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2023
Aug 4, 20235M

"I teamed up with @EricHolder to launch @AllOnTheLine. The goal was to take on gerrymandering and make democracy more representative."

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2022
Nov 23, 2022

"Voters in Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin are still affected by gerrymandering. We've got to stop partisan gerrymandering once and for all."

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Feb 22, 2022

"All On The Line is driven by the core belief that voters should choose their representatives — not the other way around."

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Jan 13, 202235K likes

"The best way to protect the right to vote, end partisan gerrymandering, and restore the Voting Rights Act."

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2021
Dec 31, 202115K likes

"Citizens in Michigan took politics out of the redistricting process. It's why the work @EricHolder and @DemRedistrict are doing is so important."

Praised Michigan's independent citizen commission — the model Virginia Democrats abandoned

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Oct 5, 2021

"@DemRedistrict is fighting for #FairMaps. The Senate must pass the Freedom to Vote Act to protect our communities from partisan gerrymandering."

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Saslaw

Sen. Dick Saslaw

Democrat · District 35 · Fairfax · Senate Democratic Leader · 25 tweets

🟢 2017-2019: 25 TWEETS
"Proud to end partisan gerrymandering."Jan 12, 2019
"Independent redistricting — fair and transparent."Feb 8, 2019
"Districts for the people — not special interests."Feb 21, 2019
VS
2020-2026: ZERO
Complete silence. 25 tweets about ending gerrymandering — then nothing since his party started doing it.2020-present

The Silence Is the Story

Dick Saslaw tweeted about gerrymandering 25 times in two years. Since Democrats gained the power to draw maps? Zero.

2019
Jan 12, 2019

"-”️ Proud to end partisan gerrymandering."

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Feb 8, 2019

"We must pass independent redistricting — fair and transparent."

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Feb 21, 2019

"Our amendment keeps the process independent and transparent. Not special interests."

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Mar 2019

"Help us end #gerrymandering."

Posted 8 times across March

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Mar 11, 2019

"Our bill received bipartisan support and approval of OneVirginia2021."

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Holder

Eric Holder

Former US Attorney General · Chairman, NDRC · @EricHolder · 299 tweets

🟢 2017–2024: "End Gerrymandering"
"Biggest rigged system in America is gerrymandering."Jan 12, 2017
"Citizen-led commission is a model for the country."May 5, 2018
"Citizens will choose their representatives, politicians will not pick their voters."Jul 2018
"Let's have non-partisan, independent commissions draw the lines."Feb 2019
VS
🔴 2025–2026: His Org Backs 10-1 Maps
"His NDRC — the organization he built to end gerrymandering — now backs Virginia's 10-1 legislature-drawn maps."2025
"Championed independent commissions in AZ, MI, MO, CO, OH. Silent when Virginia bypasses theirs."2025–2026
2017
Jan 12, 2017

"Biggest rigged system in America is gerrymandering. We're fighting back — National Democratic Redistricting Committee."

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Oct 3, 2017

"Too many politicians are picking their voters — It's time for US to choose our representatives."

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Nov 16, 2017

"Gerrymandering is an attack on our democracy."

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2018
May 5, 2018

"The citizen-led commission creates fair, competitive districts and is a model for the country."

Re: Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission

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May 9, 2018

"When citizens work together to demand a fair redistricting process, positive change happens."

Re: Ohio voters ending partisan gerrymandering

View on X →
2019–2021
Feb 2019

"Let's have non-partisan, independent commissions draw the lines and end gerrymandering."

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Mar 2019

"I favor taking the redistricting process out of the hands of interested politicians and let an independent commission draw the lines."

Daring Wisconsin Gov. Walker to support independent commissions

Mar 2021

"The #ForThePeopleAct will outlaw partisan gerrymandering and mandate independent redistricting commissions."

2025 — THE FLIP
🔥 299 TWEETS THEN THIS
2025

"His NDRC backed Virginia's 10-1 legislature-drawn maps — bypassing the independent commission model he championed in Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, Colorado, Ohio, and Wisconsin."

The organization built to end gerrymandering endorsed the biggest Democratic gerrymander in the country

Kaine

Sen. Tim Kaine

Democrat · US Senator · Virginia · @timkaine · 5 tweets

🟢 2019–2022
"Voters should pick their leaders, not the other way around."Jun 27, 2019
"Virginia voters approved nonpartisan redistricting reform...I encourage Virginians to apply to serve on the commission."Dec 15, 2020
"Non-partisan redistricting in Congressional races."Jan 14, 2022
VS
🔴 2026
"I'll vote for this temporary emergency measure."Feb 22, 2026 · 62K views
"I'm voting YES" for the 10-1 redistricting referendum.Mar 5, 2026
2019
Jun 27, 2019

"This is an un-democratic decision. I'm disappointed the Supreme Court will allow partisan gerrymandering. Voters should pick their leaders, not the other way around."

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2020
Dec 15, 2020

"Now that Virginia voters approved nonpartisan redistricting reform, it's important that the redistricting commission be a high-quality and diverse group."

View on X →
2022
Jan 14, 2022

"Our laws will require non-partisan redistricting in Congressional races, transparency of all campaign contributions."

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2026
🔥 THE FLIP
Feb 22, 202662K

"I'll vote for this temporary emergency measure and urge Virginians to make their voices heard on April 21."

The man who championed "nonpartisan redistricting" now calls 10-1 maps an "emergency measure"

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Mar 5, 202617K

"Early voting starts tomorrow for the temporary, emergency redistricting referendum. I'm voting YES, you should too."

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Ayala

Hala Ayala

Democrat · Former VA Delegate · Lt. Gov Candidate · @HalaAyala · 35 tweets

🟢 2017–2019: "Non-Partisan Process"
"We are in favor of a non-partisan redistricting process."Aug 1, 2017
"I support an independent, non-partisan commission on redistricting."Oct 6, 2017
"Thrilled to be endorsed by @EricHolder. The future of redistricting is on the ballot!"Sep 17, 2019
VS
🔴 2020+: Silence on Process
Stopped advocating for independent commissions. Switched to celebrating partisan victories without questioning the process.2020–present
2017
Aug 1, 2017

"We are in favor of a non-partisan redistricting process."

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Oct 6, 2017

"I support an independent, non-partisan commission on redistricting."

View on X →
2019
Sep 17, 2019

"Thrilled to be endorsed by @EricHolder. The future of redistricting is on the ballot!"

View on X →
2020+ — THE SILENCE

📊 Process Advocacy Disappeared

After championing "independent, non-partisan" redistricting, Ayala's tweets shifted entirely to celebrating Democratic election wins without ever questioning the process that produced them. The advocate for fair process went quiet once her party controlled it.

TIMELINE

How We Got Here

From independent commission to 10-1 maps

Nov 2020

Amendment 1 Passes

Voters approve bipartisan redistricting commission.

Fall 2021

Commission Deadlocks

Supreme Court draws maps. System works as designed.

Nov 2025

Democrats Win Trifecta

Full control. Push for legislature-drawn maps begins.

Oct 2025

Special Session

Maps drawn in the legislature, not the commission.

Feb 2026

Governor Signs 10-1 Map

Spanberger signs 10D-1R congressional map.

Mar 2026

Hurley v. Nardo

Supreme Court: unconstitutional, void ab initio.

Apr 21, 2026

THE VOTE

Voters decide if the 10-1 maps take effect.

THE MAPS

See the Difference

Current districts vs. what they're proposing

Current vs Proposed
Current vs. Proposed — Competitive districts above. The 10-1 plan below.
Proposed
Proposed 10-1 Districts
Voting patterns
How Virginians Vote vs. "Fair" Maps
Fair maps tweet
@VA_forFairMaps: "We can have a fair map...or whatever this is."
LEARN MORE

Resources & FAQ

Get informed. Take action.

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing district lines to give one party an unfair advantage. Both parties have done it.

What was Amendment 1?

A bipartisan redistricting commission approved by Virginia voters in 2020. Many Democrats on this site campaigned for it.

What changed in 2025?

Democrats won full control and had the legislature draw maps instead — targeting a 10-1 advantage in 11 congressional seats.

What did the courts say?

The Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional and void ab initio.

When do I vote?

April 21, 2026. Find your polling place at vote.virginia.gov.

LATEST

Updates

What's happening now

Mar 2026

Court: Unconstitutional

Hurley v. Nardo — void ab initio. April 21 vote still on.

Feb 2026

10-1 Map Signed

Governor signs 10D-1R map, contingent on voter approval.

Jan 2026

Amendments Pass

Redistricting, abortion, marriage equality sent to voters.

Stay Informed

New receipts. Court rulings. No spam.