The proposed redistricting map may help Democrats. But what does it do for Black Virginians?

Let us start with the obvious: the flyers using civil-rights imagery to influence Black Virginia voters on redistricting were juvenile, foolish, and deserving of the outrage they received. This effort generally represented the Republicans’ way of communicating with Black people: tone deaf and completely cynical. Any Black person associated with that effort should be embarrassed and criticized.

Let us start with the obvious: the flyers using civil-rights imagery to influence Black Virginia voters on redistricting were juvenile, foolish, and deserving of the outrage they received. This effort generally represented the Republicans’ way of communicating with Black people: tone deaf and completely cynical. Any Black person associated with that effort should be embarrassed and criticized.

Black voters form a critical component of the Democratic leadership and voting bloc in Virginia, consistently organizing, participating, and contributing substantial margins essential to Democratic control of the General Assembly and the election of a Democratic governor. They have done their job for the Democrats.

However, analysis of the proposed map’s accompanying data tables indicates that Black political influence is not being consolidated.




https://virginiamercury.com/2026/03/23/the-proposed-redistricting-map-may-help-democrats-but-what-does-it-do-for-black-virginians/